Difference between revisions of "Thrinax parviflora"

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==Habitat and Distribution==
 
==Habitat and Distribution==
Jamaica.[[Image:ThrinparvIMG 0136.JPG|thumb|left|500px|Fairchild FL. Thrinax parviflora subsp. parviflora.]]
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An overview of  Thrinax parviflora Swartz
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By Jose Grassia
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Ecology and distribution 
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The genus Thrinax is in common with Hemithrinax, Coccothrinax and Zombia, [[Image:ThrinparvIMG 0136.JPG|thumb|left|500px|Fairchild FL. Thrinax parviflora subsp. parviflora.]]of the Thrinax alliance. The genus is easily distinguished by the splitting of the base of the petiole in the region of the sheath.
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Palms of the species Thrinax parviflora occur only on alkaline substrate, specifically coralline sands or limestone outcrops, from sea level to about 900 meters elevation.
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Endemic to Jamaica are restricted entirely to exceedingly well drained sites far from the influence of salt spray.
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Thrinax parviflora was described as “The commonest member, of the undergrowth, which although capable of growing much taller, does not do so in this habitat, except where there is an opening in the canopy.” The author has included the species, as the principal representative of the Palmae, among the five most important families of arborescent species, in the Dry Evergreen Thicket. Apart from the presence of the “thatch,” the formation is characterized by the absence of herbaceous ground cover and terrestrial ferns.
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The substrate is generally deeply eroded bare rock with occasional pockets of shallow soil and very little humus. Dry Evergreen Thicket is a widespread formation on most of the hills and ridges of low to middle elevations from sea level to about 900 m where the limestone is naturally exposed.
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T parviflora grows naturally at altitudes between 100 and 900 m asl and with annual rainfall varying between 1000 and 2500 mm.
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
 
Among the many Thrinax, this species from the mountains of Jamaica is one of the prettiest. It grows a slender, smooth trunk topped by an open crown of smallish, very thick and leathery fan leaves with curiously twisted and curled, grass green segments. This robust palm will thrive in tropical as well as subtropical climates and tolerates an occasional light frost. It does well even on poor, rocky, or sandy soils, as long as it is well drained, and, like most Thrinax, it adapts well to coastal exposure. (RPS.com)
 
Among the many Thrinax, this species from the mountains of Jamaica is one of the prettiest. It grows a slender, smooth trunk topped by an open crown of smallish, very thick and leathery fan leaves with curiously twisted and curled, grass green segments. This robust palm will thrive in tropical as well as subtropical climates and tolerates an occasional light frost. It does well even on poor, rocky, or sandy soils, as long as it is well drained, and, like most Thrinax, it adapts well to coastal exposure. (RPS.com)

Revision as of 22:45, 2 September 2016

Thrinax (TRI-naks)
parviflora (pahr-vih-FLOHR-ah)
Thrinax parviflora zooz.jpg
Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens. Hilo, Hawaii.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Thrinax (TRI-naks)
Species:
parviflora (pahr-vih-FLOHR-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Palmate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Broom Palm, Jamaican Thatch Palm, Mountain Thatch Palm

Habitat and Distribution

An overview of Thrinax parviflora Swartz By Jose Grassia

Ecology and distribution

The genus Thrinax is in common with Hemithrinax, Coccothrinax and Zombia,
Fairchild FL. Thrinax parviflora subsp. parviflora.
of the Thrinax alliance. The genus is easily distinguished by the splitting of the base of the petiole in the region of the sheath.

Palms of the species Thrinax parviflora occur only on alkaline substrate, specifically coralline sands or limestone outcrops, from sea level to about 900 meters elevation.

Endemic to Jamaica are restricted entirely to exceedingly well drained sites far from the influence of salt spray. Thrinax parviflora was described as “The commonest member, of the undergrowth, which although capable of growing much taller, does not do so in this habitat, except where there is an opening in the canopy.” The author has included the species, as the principal representative of the Palmae, among the five most important families of arborescent species, in the Dry Evergreen Thicket. Apart from the presence of the “thatch,” the formation is characterized by the absence of herbaceous ground cover and terrestrial ferns.

The substrate is generally deeply eroded bare rock with occasional pockets of shallow soil and very little humus. Dry Evergreen Thicket is a widespread formation on most of the hills and ridges of low to middle elevations from sea level to about 900 m where the limestone is naturally exposed. T parviflora grows naturally at altitudes between 100 and 900 m asl and with annual rainfall varying between 1000 and 2500 mm.

Description

Among the many Thrinax, this species from the mountains of Jamaica is one of the prettiest. It grows a slender, smooth trunk topped by an open crown of smallish, very thick and leathery fan leaves with curiously twisted and curled, grass green segments. This robust palm will thrive in tropical as well as subtropical climates and tolerates an occasional light frost. It does well even on poor, rocky, or sandy soils, as long as it is well drained, and, like most Thrinax, it adapts well to coastal exposure. (RPS.com)

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

There are two subspecies; Thrinax parviflora subsp. parviflora, and Thrinax parviflora subsp. puberula.


External Links

References

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.

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