Cyphokentia macrostachya
Cyphokentia (sigh-foh-kent-EE-ah) macrostachya (mak-roh-stah-KEE-ah) | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Location: Yaté, New Caledonia. | |||||||
Scientific Classification | |||||||
| |||||||
Synonyms | |||||||
| |||||||
Native Continent | |||||||
| |||||||
Morphology | |||||||
| |||||||
Culture | |||||||
| |||||||
Survivability index | |||||||
| |||||||
Common names | |||||||
|
Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Cyphokentia macrostachya is endemic to New Caledonia, this species found in rain forests, only on the Mainland, has a wide, but disjunct distribution: in the far south, as well as the central and the northeast coast. Substratum: Primarily on deep ultramafic substrate, and vulcano-sedimentary substrate as well.Description
Hight: Up to 15m., with a trunk of 10 to 15 cm. in diam., no prominent leaf scars. Crown holds 8 to 15 recurving leaves, more than 2 m. long, with a glabrous petiole about 5 to 17 cm. long; plus a sheath, (crownshaft) of 0.5 to 1 m. long, light green, entirely covered with a whitish waxy coating on the surface, and a pale pinkish white on the inside. Inflorescences arising from the bottom, or under the crownshaft, heavily branched and spreading, 90 x 70 cm., reddish when young, greenish as it ages, entirely covered with a whitish waxy coating. Fruit, red or black when ripe, ellipsoid to globose, 10-20 x 7 - 11 mm., 10 x 6 mm. seeds. Editing by edric.
Culture
Slow growing, but faster than C. cerifera. Hardiness: USDA zone: 10a
Comments and Curiosities
"Slow growing, ornamental but exceedingly rare palm (in cultivation at least) from New Caledonia... known for its dark reddish crownshaft covered with a thick coating of white powder, and very regular, evenly spaced, perfectly recurved pinnate leaves. No experience outdoors in California yet... so slow growing it's hard to imagine I will find out in my lifetime, either." (Geoff Stein)
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://nzpalmandcycad.com/?pg=96
- http://southeastgarden.com/new-caledonia.html
- New Caledonia photos in habitat.
References
All information translated from the French, edric.
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.
Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.