Clinosperma vaginata

Clinosperma (klih-no-SPURM-ah) vaginata (vah-jih-NAH-tah)
Rivire Bleue, New Caledonia. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Clinosperma (klih-no-SPURM-ah) Species: vaginata (vah-jih-NAH-tah)
Synonyms
Clinostigma vaginatum, Cyphokentia vaginata, Brongniartikentia vaginata.
Native Continent
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Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Clinosperma vaginata is endemic to New Caledonia, located only in the south of the

Parc Provincial de la Rivière Bleue, New Caledonia. Note: very thin trunk, and pendulous inflorescences. Photo by Bryan.

Grande Terre (the main island). Found in the undergrowth of the rain forest. Growing in deep alluvium collluvions, or ultramafic substrate.

Description

Small slender palm 4-5 m. high, with a trunk diameter of 5 cm., Green or dark green, covered with prominent leaf scars, irregularly spaced. Crown holds 5-6 leaves, ranging from 0.60 to 1.80 m. long, with 12-18 pairs of pinnae; petiole short, 6.5 to 25 cm., sheath dark green and finely scaly outside, brown inside. Phenology: Inflorescences 3-4 emerging between the leaves, first erect then arched, then drooping after anthesis, with a long peduncle 45-90 cm, the upper third of the length, comprised of several rachilla, covered with brown scales. Fruits ovoid or ellipsoid, 13-19 x 7-8 mm., red or black at maturity, with stigmatic residue at the base, seeds ovoid or ellipsoid, 10-11 x 5-6 mm., with a smooth endocarp. Editing by edric.