Difference between revisions of "Chrysalidocarpus ovobontsira"

Revision as of 07:24, 23 April 2012

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Habitat Photo: Phil Arrowsmith

Habitat Photo: Phil Arrowsmith

Habitat and Distribution

Dypsis ovobontsira is found in dense diminishing fragmented forest. 10-15 years ago the reserve where this palm is located was mostly bush. But now there is perhaps only 7 or 8 individuals left. So it is likely (and unfortunate) that this palm has not yet made it into cultivation.

It is known only from this single locality in the protected area of Mananara-Nord at an elevation of 500 meters.

Description

Dypsis sp. 'dark mealy bug' showing almost no petiole. Photo by Nick Ordille - at the Garden of Jeff and Suchin Marcus

As the photos above illustrate, Dypsis ovobontsira is a unique palm, and of a magnificant form with color. The trunk appears to hold a shiny black color that sets it apart. Other photos have shown a green ringed trunk, so different exposures may yield a different look. And the form and coloration of the crownshaft, along with distinctive petioles, make this a fairly easy palm to differentiate. But because it's a Dypsis, there must be some controversy. :)

Another palm in the trade has mistakenly acquired the name D. ovobontsira. This palm also known as the Dark (or Red) Mealy Bug, is also a beautiful palm, but most have agreed this is not the real D. ovobontsira pictured at the top of this page. Notice the lack of much of a petiole on the Dark Mealy Bug in the photo to the right as opposed to the very long petioles on the D. ovobontsira above.

To further confuse matters is the possiblity of descriptive errors in the Palms of Madagascar, possibly resulting from incorrect or incomplete herbarium specimens at the time of publication. In any case, those who saw this palm in Madagascar along with Dr. John Dransfield identified it as D. aff. ovobontsira. So while not an official "done deal," the best minds appear to think this is what will be the real D. ovobontsira.

In Madagascar there is sometimes an overlap between the scientific and local names. (See 'Curiosities' below) This is probably why there are several palms that end up in the trade with the same name.

Culture

Since this palm may not yet be in cultivation, any cultural information would be purely conjecture, but probably along the same lines as other larger forest Dypsis.

Curiosities

Ring Tailed Mongoose

Dypsis ovobontsira - The Mongoose Palm

In the Malagasy language Ovobontsira means mongoose palm. Because of other references to palm hearts in Malagasy palm names, one collector infered at first thought that this was a reference to to the palm heart tasting like mongoose to the locals. :) But more than likely the name originates from the habit of the mongoose making homes in the old palm trunks lying on the ground. In the local language, "hovotra" means palm or palm heart, and “vontsira” is the name for mongoose. So, ovobontsira is mongoose palm or mongoose palm heart. Another possible translation could be that when these palms are cut down and lay rotting on the ground, there is a type of white grub/worm that flourish inside the trunks that the mongoose love to eat. So the local Malagasy people often see mongoose digging inside these fallen trunks. So whatever the reason, mongoose are often associated with this species - hence the name "Ovobontsira."

Above is a photo of the ringed tailed mongoose, which is more than likely the species of mongoose that the palm was named after.

Image gallery