Rhopalostylis

:"For the genus "Rhopalostylis" Klotzsch ex. Baill., of the family Euphorbiaceae, see its current synonym Dalechampia."taxobox
name = "Rhopalostylis"

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image_caption = Flowers and fruit of "R. sapida"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Monocots
unranked_ordo = Commelinids
ordo = Arecales
familia = Arecaceae
subtribus = Rhopalostylidinae
genus = "Rhopalostylis"
genus_authority = H.Wendl. & DrudeH.A. Wendland & Drude, Linnaea 39:180, 234. 1875 Type:"R. baueri"]
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = *"Rhopalostylis baueri"
*"Rhopalostylis sapida"|

. Both are smooth-trunked, with regular ringed scars from fallen leaves. The leaves are 3-5 metres in length, and the leaf bases encircle the trunk.

Distribution

"R. baueri" occurs on Norfolk Island and the Kermadec Islands northeast of New Zealand; the Kermadec Islands population, formerly separated as "R. cheesemanii", was included in "R. baueri" in 2005 after comparison revealed no significant differences. "R. sapida", known as the Nikau Palm, is the only palm native to mainland New Zealand, and is found in lowland forests on the North Island, in coastal areas of the South Island as far south as Banks Peninsula, and on the Chatham Islands at 44 degrees South. "R. sapida" thus has the southernmost range of any palm genus.

Classification

Sub-family: Arecoideae; Tribe: Areceae; Subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae. "Rhopalostylis" is closely related to the Lord Howe Island genus "Hedyscepe".

References

reflist
*de Lange, P.J.; Gardner, R.O.; Crowcroft, G.M.; Stalker, F.; Cameron, E.K.; Braggins, J.E; Christian, M.L. 2005: Vascular flora of Norfolk Island: some additions and taxonomic notes. "New Zealand Journal of Botany" 43: 563-596.
*cite web |title="Latest News (July 4, 2005): New names for the Kermadec nikau palm and Three Kings cabbage tree" |work=New Zealand Plant Conservation Network |url=http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/news_events/news01.asp?newsid=36|accessdate=2007-07-16
* [http://www.kew.org/wcsp/qsearch.do?plantName=Rhopalostylis&page=quickSearch Kew palms checklist: "Rhopalostylis"]