Eremospatha dransfieldii
Eremospatha (eh-reh-moh-SPAH-thah) dransfieldii (dranz-FEELD-ee) | |||||||
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Photo: prota4u.org | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Ghana. The main distribution is centred in the Western Region of Ghana and eastern Ivory Coast with additional populations in Sierra Leone. E. dransfieldii is a light demanding species found particularly along forest margins, in tree-fall gaps and along roadsides. The species is restricted to areas of high rainfall (>2,000 mm) and is locally abundant where it occurs.Description
Clustered robust rattan palm climbing to 40 m long. Stems circular in cross-section, without sheaths, 18-24 mm in diameter, with 25-30 mm; internodes 10-16 cm. Leaf sheath lightly striate, indumentum absent, but sheath often profusely covered with orange-brown scale insects; ocrea entire, obliquely truncate, extending for 1-2 cm above the leaf junction; knee conspicuous, narrowly linear, 2-4 cm long, rather abrupt at base. Leaves sessile, up to 3.5m long; rachis 1.2-1.5m long, abaxially rounded, adaxially convex to concave, becoming trapezoid then triangular in cross-section distally, armed along the margins with robust reflexed, bulbous-based, yellow-orange, spines, becoming more sparsely armed distally; cirrus 1.2-1.5 m long, unarmed; leaflets up to 40 on each side of the rachis, inequidistant, opposite to sub-opposite, highly variable in shape, obovate-ellipticus to oblanceolate to rhomboid, obtusely cuneate at base, more or less praemorse at apex, 12-30 cm long × 3.5-5.5 cm broad; lowermost leaflets, smaller than the rest, linear, strap-like or broadly-lanceolate, armed along the margins with robust bulbous-based yellow to orange spines, laxly swept back across, or tightly clasping stem; acanthophylls 3-4 cm long. Flowers and fruits unknown. (T.C.H Sunderland, A taxonomic revision of the rattans of Africa (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Phytotaxa 51. 2012)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
Notwithstanding the long history of botanical fieldwork in the Upper Guinea forests of West Africa and despite their economic importance (Falconer 1992, Oteng-Amoako and Obiri-Darko 2001, Sunderland et al. 2005) the rattan palms of the region were, until recently, particularly under-represented in herbaria. Three species of Eremospatha were previously recorded from the region; E. macrocarpa, E. laurentii and a third taxon, comprising a few incomplete voucher specimens which were frequently assigned to E. hookeri. Due to the significant morphological and ecological differences between these this latter taxon and E. hookeri, doubts concerning the identification of "E. hookeri" from Upper Guinea were expressed by Sunderland (2001). Further collections confirm that this species is indeed a distinct taxon. (T.C.H Sunderland, A taxonomic revision of the rattans of Africa (Arecaceae: Calamoideae) in Phytotaxa 51. 2012)/Palmweb.
Culture
Comments and Curiosities
Etymology: Named after Dr. John Dransfield; father of palm botany, at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, without whom Palmpedia would not exist. (edric)
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Stems to 40 m long, circular in cross-section; leaves up to 3.5 m long; cirrus 1.2-1.5 m long; leaflets up to 40 on each side of the rachis, highly variable in shape, obovate-ellipticus to oblanceolate to rhomboid, inequidistant. The inflorescences, flowers and fruits have never been collected. Eremospatha dransfieldii was only recently recognised as a species. Formerly specimens were frequently assigned to Eremospatha hookeri (G.Mann & H.Wendl.) H.Wendl. Eremospatha is one of the three rattan genera endemic to Africa. It comprises 11 species, which are easily distinguished from each other on the basis of vegetative characteristics. (prota4u.org) Origin and geographic distribution: Eremospatha dransfieldii is distributed from Sierra Leone eastwards to Ghana, occurring mainly in eastern Côte d’Ivoire and western Ghana. (prota4u.org) Uses: The split stem is a strong tying material, used for house construction, and is widely used for basketry and furniture. The epidermis of the stem is used as rope, for instance for binding the framework of mud houses. (prota4u.org) Production and international trade: Eremospatha dransfieldii is extensively traded, especially in Ghana, primarily in local markets. As is the case with most African rattans, there is inadequate information on the international trade, but it is probably negligible. Eremospatha dransfieldii may have been among the species that were exported from Ghana to the United Kingdom in the period between the two World Wars. The amount of all rattan canes supplied to urban markets in West and Central Africa has been estimated at a total length of 340,000 m per month. (prota4u.org) Properties: The stem is reddish brown and lightweight, with an oven-dry density of 280–440 kg/m³, depending on the position along the stem. The stem is slender, soft and flexible, and is easy to split. (prota4u.org) Adulterations and substitutes: Eremospatha dransfieldii has properties quite similar to those of the commercially more important Eremospatha macrocarpa (G.Mann & H.Wendl.) H.Wendl., one of the most favoured commercial rattans in Africa. In Ghana Calamus deërratus G.Mann & H.Wendl., a rattan species considered to be of lesser quality than Eremospatha spp., is utilized in areas where Eremospatha is absent. (prota4u.org) Genetic resources and breeding: Although Eremospatha dransfieldii is not included in the IUCN Red list, it is considered vulnerable due to its limited distribution and present overharvesting, especially in Ghana. (prota4u.org) Prospects: Eremospatha dransfieldii was described quite recently and has been somewhat under-studied. In general, there is growing interest in the rattans of Africa owing to their importance in the livelihoods of rural as well as urban traders and artisans. Research on rattans in Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon has shown that cultivation is ecologically feasible, but hampered by socio-economic and socio-cultural factors such as land tenure and perceptions of unlimited wild supplies. (prota4u.org) |
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://www.prota4u.org/protav8.asp?en=1&p=Eremospatha+dransfieldii
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.