Heterospathe

taxobox
name = "Heterospathe"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Monocots
unranked_ordo = Commelinids
ordo = Arecales
familia = Arecaceae
subfamilia = Arecoideae
tribus = Areceae
genus = "Heterospathe"
genus_authority = Scheff.Scheffer, Annales du Jardin Botanique de Buitenzorg 1:141. 1876 Type:"H. elata"]
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = *"Heterospathe annectens"
*"Heterospathe arfakiana"
*"Heterospathe brevicaulis"
*"Heterospathe cagayanensis"
*"Heterospathe califrons"
*"Heterospathe clemensiae"
*"Heterospathe delicatula"
*"Heterospathe dransfieldii"
*"Heterospathe elata"
*"Heterospathe elegans"
*"Heterospathe elmeri"
*"Heterospathe glabra"
*"Heterospathe glauca"
*"Heterospathe humilis"
*"Heterospathe intermedia"
*"Heterospathe kajewskii"
*"Heterospathe ledermanniana"
*"Heterospathe lepidota"
*"Heterospathe longipes"
*"Heterospathe macgregorii"
*"Heterospathe minor"
*"Heterospathe muelleriana"
*"Heterospathe negrosensis"
*"Heterospathe obriensis"
*"Heterospathe parviflora"
*"Heterospathe philippinensis"
*"Heterospathe phillipsii"
*"Heterospathe pilosa"
*"Heterospathe pulchra"
*"Heterospathe ramulosa"
*"Heterospathe salomonensis"
*"Heterospathe scitula"
*"Heterospathe sensisi"
*"Heterospathe sibuyanensis"
*"Heterospathe sphaerocarpa"
*"Heterospathe trispatha"
*"Heterospathe uniformis"
*"Heterospathe versteegiana"
*"Heterospathe woodfordiana"|

"Heterospathe" is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Oceania where it is called sagisi palm. Among members of the Iguanurinae it is described as relatively unspecialized.Uhl, Natalie W. and Dransfield, John (1987) "Genera Palmarum - A classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore". Lawrence, Kansas: Allen Press. ISBN-10: ISBN-10: 0935868305 / ISBN-13: 978-0935868302] With 39 species, "Heterospathe" is named from a Greek combination of "various" and "spathe", which describes the two distinct bract types.

Description

They exhibit considerable variation in morphology and habit; the slender trunks may be solitary or sparsely to densely clustering, some are miniatures and perpetual undergrowth subjects while others contribute to the canopy top. The trunks are ringed by leaf scars and end in a poorly defined or absent crownshaft. The leaves are usually pinnate, rarely bifid, from small to large, and frequently red colored when new.

The inflorescence is interfoliar but will hang pendent nearing antithesis. It may be branched from one to four orders with short white to yellow branches of spirally arranged, male and female flowers. Ellipsoidal to spherical, the fruit ripen to various shades of orange and red and contain a single seed.Riffle, Robert L. and Craft, Paul (2003) "An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms". Portland: Timber Press. ISBN-10: 0881925586 / ISBN-13: 978-0881925586]

Distribution and habitat

"Heterospathe" species are relatively widespread across the Pacific's western edges with several in New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, eastern Indonesia and Micronesia. Across this range they inhabit montane and lowland rain forest, in some cases receiving total shade or filtered light while others mature into full sun with age; "H. delicatula" and "H. humilis" are found at high elevations in New Guinea's mountains. Being rain forest dwellers they are typically found in humus-rich soil.

Cultivation and uses

The colorful new foliage has increased their popularity in Australia though they are still uncommon there and more so in the United States where only one species is cultivated with any regularity. In any case, they naturally prefer surroundings resembling those in their range, particularly acidic soil which is fast-draining, copious water and protection from cold. The petioles and leaflets are woven and thatched, the palm heart is reportedly eaten, and fruit from "H. elata" is chewed as a betel substitute.

References

reflist

External links

* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/genus.pl?5638 "Heterospathe" on NPGS/GRIN]
* [http://palmguide.org/images.php?family=ARECACEAE&genus=Heterospathe Fairchild Images]
* [http://palmguide.org/genus.php?family=arecaceae&genus=heterospathe Fairchild Guide to Palms]
* [http://data.gbif.org/species/14721821 GBIF portal]