Difference between revisions of "Dypsis cookei"

Revision as of 10:56, 27 September 2012

• SUB CATEGORY PALMS OF MADAGASCAR

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Dypsis cookei
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Dypsis Species: cookei
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Endemic to Madagascar. Marojejy. Humid lower montane forest on steep slope; alt. 1100 m.

Description

Slender clustering palmlet to 2 m tall, often less. STEMS green, c. 6 mm diam.; internodes 15-17 mm long, glabrous, shining dark green when fresh, becoming striate on drying. LEAVES 6-7 in the crown; leaf-sheaths pale green, tinged purple when young, smooth when fresh, becoming striate on drying, bearing caducous, minute scattered punctiform scales, otherwise glabrous, c. 7 cm long, two minute auricles present at the base of the petiole (?always); leaf without sheath 25-35 cm long; petiole 12-20 mm long, c. 1.5 mm wide, subtriangular in section, bearing scattered brown scales; rachis 15-20 cm, bearing scattered scales as on the petiole; leaflets 6-8 on each side of the rachis, very narrow, dark blue-green with an almost metallic sheen, mostly composed of one fold but occasion- ally apical pair and the basal leaflets composed of two folds, proximal leaflets 12-16 x 0.6-1.1 cm, median leaflets 17-20 x 0.7-0.8 cm, distal leaflets 12-14 x 1.2-1.4 cm; lamina surfaces glabrous apart from very sparse scattered minute punctiform brown scales. INFLORESCENCE interfoliar, c. 38 cm long, only slightly protruding beyond the leaves, crimson-purple throughout, branching to 2-3 orders with c. 28 rachillae, the whole branched part of the inflorescence more or less triangular in outline when pressed; peduncle glabrous, c. 15- 20 cm long; prophyll c. 12 cm long, peduncular bract exceeding the prophyll by about 8 cm, the tip reaching to the level of the basalmost rachilla, the two bracts drying brown and bearing scattered dark brown scales, especially along the margins; rachis c. 10.5 cm; rachillae c. 25, 2-4 cm long, the longest near the base, c. 1 mm diam. when fresh, bearing triads 1-2 mm apart, the rachilla surface densely pruinose. STAMINATE FLOWER bud c. 0.7 mm diam.; sepals 3 rounded, gibbous, c. 0.5 mm diam., abaxially minutely and densely papillose; petals broadly triangular, c. 0.5 mm long, c. 0.5 mm wide, obscurely striate; stamens 3, antepetalous, anthers didymous, c. 0.25 mm long, the filaments triangular c. 0.2mm long; pistillode pyramidal, c. 3 mm high. PISTILLATE BUDS very immature, c. 0.5 mm diam., rounded. Other parts not seen. Editing by edric.

This species is easily distinguished by its dark metallic green unicostate leaflets of a rather thick, coriaceous texture. The whole plant has a rheomorphic appearance but in fact grows far from water, on a steep slope in montane rain forest. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).

Culture

Comments and Curiosities

This is a beautiful little palm, distinctive in its rather thick metallic blue green leaves with narrow leaflets. Leaf texture and colour are somewhat reminiscent of that of the Mexican palm, Chamaedorea metallica. Clearly this would make a very handsome ornamental but, sadly, it is known from only one locality (Marojejy) and has been collected once only. It is named for David Cooke, who is in charge of the Palm House at Kew, and has joined two Kew expeditions to Madagascar, helping greatly in the collection of palms and contributing his very special brand of humour and companionship. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).

Conservation: Endangered. Although this species occurs within the Marojejy Nature Reserve, it is known from but a single population consisting of less than twenty plants. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.