Dypsis subacaulis

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Dypsis (DIP-sis)
subacaulis (soob-ah-KAW-liss)
Dypsis-subacaulis53309.jpg
Madagascar. Photo by Dr. Mijoro Rakotoarinivo/Kew.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Dypsis (DIP-sis)
Species:
subacaulis (soob-ah-KAW-liss)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Africa.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary & clustering
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

MADAGASCAR. Toliara, Taolagnaro, Iabokoho, Tsitongambarika, Ivohibe,
Madagascar. Photo by Dr. Mijoro Rakotoarinivo/Kew.
about 4 km west of Antsotso village, 24° 34’ 0.8” S, 47° 12’ 14” E, alt. 182 m, 24 September 2010, M. Rakotoarinivo & J. Dransfield with S. Dransfield, Ramisy

Edmond, Mara Bergé RM531 (holotype K, isotypes MO, TAN).

Description

Solitary or clustering undergrowth palm, about 1 m tall, the whole palm appearing ± acaulescent. Stem erect, very short, about 12 mm in diam., internodes 9–10 mm long, the surface covered with dark brown caducous indumentum, much of the stem obscured by marcescent leaf bases and leaf litter. Leaves about 12 in the crown, marcescent, 60–75 cm long; sheaths ± open throughout much of their length, not forming a crownshaft, to 9 cm long, about 2.5 cm wide when opened out, 2 papery triangular marcescent auricles to 7 mm long present one each on either side at the base of the petiole, sheath surface densely covered with dark red-brown indumentum; petiole 11–13 cm long, about 3.5 × 3 mm wide near the base, tapering distally, shallowly channelled near the base, bearing abundant caducous dark brown indumentum; rachis 50–62 cm long; leaflets 12 or 13 on each side of the rachis, ± regularly arranged, rather distant, long acuminate; basal leaflets 17–19 × 0.8–1.1 cm; mid leaf leaflets 23–28 x 1.1–1.4 cm; apical leaflets 10–12 × 0.7–0.8 cm, leaflet surface glabrous. Inflorescence interfoliar, spicate or with two rachillae only; prophyll remaining hidden by the leaf sheaths, to 8 × 0.7 cm, papery, strongly 2-keeled, tightly sheathing; peduncular bract inserted about 3 cm above the base, persistent, to 12 × 0.3 cm, it and the prophyll with scattered caducous scales; peduncle 25 × 0.11 cm, bearing scattered caducous red-brown scales; rachilla or flower-bearing portion of the spike 14–15 cm long, 1.5–2.2 mm in diam., bearing crowded triads. Staminate flowers already fallen. Pistillate flowers to 1.7 × 0.7 mm, ovoid; sepals rounded, about 6 mm in diam., striate; petals imbricate, 1.2 × 1.0 mm, striate with very short triangular tips; staminodes minute, 3, dentiform; gynoecium ovoid, 1.4 × 0.6 mm. Fruit not known. (Dr's. RAKOTOARINIVO, M. AND J. DRANSFIELD. 2012)/Kew. Editing by edric.


Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

Dypsis subacaulis J. Dransf. & Rakotoarin., nov. sp. Solitary or clustered undergrowth palm, somewhat reminiscent of D. procumbens but with very short erect stems, often appearing acaulescent, the inflorescences spicate or bifurcate and with narrow papery leaflets. Type: MADAGASCAR. Toliara, Taolagnaro, Iabokoho, Tsitongambarika, Ivohibe, M. Rakotoarinivo & J. Dransfield with S. Dransfield, Ramisy Edmond, Mara Bergé RM531 (holotype K, isotypes MO, TAN) (Dr's. RAKOTOARINIVO, M. AND J. DRANSFIELD. 2012)/Kew. This palm does not match with any known species of Dypsis; it seems related to highly polymorphic D. procumbens but the habit and thin papery leaflets are distinctive. Unfortunately we only found material with old inflorescences. (Dr's. RAKOTOARINIVO, M. AND J. DRANSFIELD. 2012)/Kew.

Conservation status: IUCN - Critically Endangered; CR (B2ab(ii,iii,v);D). Endemic to the Tsitongambarika forest where fewer than 10 mature trees were recorded in area of occupancy estimated to be less than 2 km square. Unless protected in the future, disturbance in this forest will probably cause decline of the population size of this species. (Dr's. RAKOTOARINIVO, M. AND J. DRANSFIELD. 2012)/Kew.



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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