Dypsis nauseosa (Jum. & H.Perrier) Beentje & J.Dransf., Palms Madagascar : 156 (1995)

Primary tabs

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Content

Introduction

  • We found this species some eighty years after the type (and up to that time, only) collection by Perrier, though we failed to find it on Vatovavy. The name indicates the supposed poisonous palm-heart, which is also reflected in local names. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Distribution

Known only from the coastal parts of Fianarantsoa Province. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Biology And Ecology

  • Eastern forest, possibly rather dry; 50-200 m. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Conservation

  • Critical. Only known from two recent collections, both from areas where the forest is being cut down at a rapid rate. Less than twenty trees are known to exist. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Common Name

  • Rahoma, Mangidibe (Antaisaka, means very bitter), Laafa (general palm name). (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Uses

  • Wood used for roofing beams, outer wood used for floorplanks. Palm-heart bitter, said to be poisonous. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Description

  • Solitary palm. TRUNK 7.5-15 m, 20-25 cm diam., with a basal swelling 47-58 cm diam.; internodes 10-23 cm, pale brown, nodal scars c. 3 cm; wood medium soft, white or pink. LEAVES small triangular part, ciliolate; staminodes six, flat, up to 0.7 mm high. Young FRUIT fleshy; mature fruit not seen. SEED ellipsoid with slightly asymmetrical pointed base and rounded apex, 15-16 x 12-14 mm, with a very adherent endocarp, close-fitting, appearing fibrous at base but more distally so anastomosing that it seems a smooth coat with a few pits; sub-basal depression of 3 mm diam.; endosperm ruminate, the intrusions many, wavy and irregular, 2-6 mm deep. (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Materials Examined

  • Mananjary: Mt Vatovavy, Oct. 1911 (fl.), Perrier 12087 (Holotype P). Manakara: Amby, May 1992 (dead infl.), Beentje & Andriampaniry 4679 (K, TAN). Farafangana: Manombo, Nov. 1991 (y. fr.), Beentje & Andriampaniry 4510 (BH, K, MO, P, TAN); idem, Nov. 1991 (seed) Beentje & Andriampaniry 4516 (K). (Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar)A

Bibliography

    A. Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995: The Palms of Madagascar