Hyophorbe vaughanii

Hyophorbe (hy-oh-FOR-beh) vaughanii (VAHN-ee)
Mauritius Island. Photo by Phillip Arrowsmith.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Hyophorbe (hy-oh-FOR-beh) Species: vaughanii (VAHN-ee)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Mauritius Island. Mascarene Archipelago. Tropical montane

Borkly, Mauritius. Photo-L.H. Bailey Hortorium. 1981.

rainforest at 400-550 m altitude.

Description

Solitary palm, with prominent rings on the trunk, and stiff, arching leaves. The inflorescence spathe is very distinctive, being very long, and angled acutely upwards.

Culture

As with many palms, seedlings prefer shade, but as the palm matures it can take more sun, even full sun in coastal conditions. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

Conservation: Critically endangered; Occurs at Mauritius-Macchabee, Brise Fer, Mare Longue, Florin. The population size is less than 50 individuals. It is already planted in Conservation Management Area where there is a wild subpopulation. Collection of seeds and propagation of the plant should be continued. (IUCN Redlist 6/2000)

"Becoming very rare due to land clearing, and despite being much sought after by collectors, it is very rarely seen for sale or in collections." (Phillip Arrowsmith)

"Very rare, the trunk is about the size of D-album but smoother appearance and the florescence grow in an erect form and fall downwards when fruiting and by weight. Very slender petioles and leaves are arching form. Also a stamp was issued for that palm. Seedling of this palm is brownish and thin. There were some sample seedlings on show in 2009 in a garden & flowers show in Reduit." (timrann)

Not available for collection, or sale outside of Mauritius, if at all.