Caryota rumphiana Mart.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

Baker, W.J., Barfod, A.S., Cámara-Leret, R., Dowe, J.L., Heatubun, C.D., Petoe, P., Turner, J.H., Zona, S. & Dransfield, J. (2024) Palms of New Guinea. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond. 726 pp.

Morphology General Habit

Robust, single-stemmed tree palm to 20 m tall

Morphology Stem

Stems to 40 cm diam.; internodes ca. 30 cm long, with thick pale tomentum

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 5–15 in crown, to 7 m long, 5 m wide; sheath 2 m or more long, ca. 30 cm wide, fibrous along margins, densely covered in uniform grey-white tomentum; petiole to 1.5 m long, densely covered in grey-white indumentum; rachis to 5.5 m long; primary leaflets ca. 12–15 on each side of the rachis, held in one plane, mid-leaf primary leaflet ca. 200 cm long; secondary leaflets ca. 25 on each side of the secondary rachis, to ca. 20 cm, irregularly wedge- shaped, leathery, glabrous above, with bands of brown scales below

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescences 2–3 m long, branching to 1 order; peduncle to 50 cm long, covered in brown tomentum; peduncular bracts tubular, tomentose; rachillae of various lengths, longest to at least 2.5 m, ca. 5 mm diam., with brown indumentum

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Female flower 3–9 × 4–6 mm Male flower ca. 12–20 × 8 mm, stamens ca. 22–36

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Fruit ripening dull crimson, then black, subglobose to 22 × 28 mm

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds 1–2(–3), hemispherical, ca. 25 × 25 mm; endosperm ruminate; embryo subapical.

Distribution

Widespread throughout the lowlands of New Guinea, including the Raja Ampat Islands and the Bismarck Archipelago. Elsewhere in Philippines, Sulawesi, Maluku, Solomon Islands and Australia (Jeanson 2011).

Ecology

Lowland to montane forest, often on river banks and disturbed areas from sea level to 1,500 m.

Vernacular

Anasi (Krisa), Benisri (Kroy), Bi (Biagi), Biar (Telefomin), Kowali (Kutubu), Lul (Matbat), Moroko (Sough), Nandiney (Marap), Oa (Motu), Sahun (Kali), Tere Nyi (North Cyclops).

Conservation

Least Concern (IUCN 2018).

Note

Caryota rumphiana is a very familiar palm of the lowlands on New Guinea. It is variable and, in good fertile soils, can be massive. Immediately recognisable by its bipinnate leaves and fishtail leaflets, the only palm with which it can be confused is C. zebrina, a rare palm of montane forest in the central northern part of the island, which is immediately distinguished by its zebra-striped petioles (among other features – see key).