- Family:
- Arecaceae Bercht. & J.Presl
Ravenea sambiranensis Jum. & H.Perrier
This species is accepted, and its native range is Madagascar.
[PW]
- General Description
- Slender small palm to majestic tree palm. TRUNK 2-30 m, 5-29 cm diam. (near crown 5-10 cm); basal boss 25-40 cm high, 32-50 cm across, with surface roots; internodes 2-13 (-18) cm (near crown 1-4 cm), nodal scars faint or clear, 2-4 cm; rarely with; sheath remnants present below the living crown; bark soft, pale grey or brown; outer wood with very hard black fibres; heartwood soft, white. Base of crown bulbous, 18-40 cm across. LEAVES 10-28 in the crown, porrect, arching to strongly arching; sheath 12-70 x 10-20 cm, whitish or brown-tomentose externally, in young leaves entire and fibrous, rupturing opposite the petiole when ageing and then the margins with hard fibres; petiole 13.5-76 cm, proximally 1.3-7 x 0.6-4 cm across, convex and white- or brown-grey-pubescent abaxially, slightly convex, flat or concave with sharp edges adaxially, distally 0.9-3 x 0.5-1.6 cm, glabrescent, dull green; rachis 0.6-2.5 m long, in mid-leaf 1.2-3.4 x 1-1.7 cm across, convex and white- to red- or grey-brown-tomentose to puberulous abaxially, glabrescent, adaxially in the proximal part with a channelled keel, more distally with a flattened keel 4-5.5 mm wide, more distal becoming angular and sharp; leaflets rigid, lanceolate, oblique, straight, acute, sometimes pendulous in their distal 1/3 (rarely in one plane), dark green, arcuate, the tips somewhat bent over, 35-67 on each side of the rachis, the proximal 20-78 x 0.2-3.3 cm, median 40-100 x 1.3-4 cm (interval 3.5-5 cm), distal 6-63 x 0.3-2.7 cm, the top pair sometimes connate for up to 2 cm, abaxially on the midrib (and sometimes on the veins) with rather many small ramenta in young leaves-none, or only basal ones in older leaves, main veins 2-7. STAMINATE INFLORESCENCE interfoliar, multiple in 5s-9s, the central ones maturing before the outer ones, erect; individual inflorescences 30-117 cm, branched to 1 or 2 orders; common prophyll membranous, 2.5-23 x 5-12 cm, rounded, tattering, densely tomentose abaxially, glabrous adaxially; peduncle 25-74 cm, 5-9 mm across proximally, distally 3-7 mm across, green, grey-brown tomentose to glabrescent; peduncular bracts respectively 7-35 x 3.2 cm (inserted at 0-0.4 cm from the base of the peduncle), 20-60 x 2-2.2 cm (inserted at 1-2 cm), 56-125 (inserted at c. 3 cm), 68-125 x 5.3 cm (inserted at c. 7 cm), all white- to grey-brown-tomentose abaxially, adaxially cream, smooth and glabrous; non-tubular peduncular bract 1.5-3.7 x 0.4-0.6 cm, but in Beentje 4501 a non-tubular peduncular bract inserted at 53 cm, 25 x 1.7 cm, membranous, adnate to the peduncle for 21 cm; rachis 20-54 cm, cream, densely pubescent proximally but glabrescent or with flaking patches, with 12-65 branched and 7-38 non-branched first order branches; proximal rachis bract 1.3-20 x 0.6 cm; first order branches at base 3-4 x 2 mm, with 3-6 rachillae; rachillae porrect, 3-23 cm, 1-1.5 mm across, sinuous, cream, with dense flowers above a 2 cm bare base; pedicels 0-1 mm; bracteole 0.7-1.8 x 0.5-0.8 mm, narrowly triangular, acute. STAMINATE FLOWERS custard-yellow, scarcely to sweetly scented; calyx with connate part 0.5-1.5 x 1.3-1.8 mm, free sepals 0.9-2.5 x 0.7-1.6 mm, ovate, acute; petals free, 1.8-5 (-6.1) x 2-3 mm, broadly ovate, acute, cream to bright custard yellow; anthers equal, 1-3.7 x 0.8-1.6 mm, filaments equal, 0.3-1.5 mm; ovary rudiment 0.4-2 x 0.3-1 mm. PISTILLATE INFLORESCENCE interfoliar, solitary, erect, 70-175 x c. 30 cm, branched to 1 order, with green axes turning orange in fruit; peduncle 29-93 cm, proximally 1.2-5 x 0.6-3 cm across, distally 0.9-2.3 x 0.5-1.5 cm, white- to brown-pubescent, glabrescent; prophyll 5-22 x 9 cm, rounded, tattering, white-pubescent; peduncular bracts 7-34 cm (inserted at 1-4 cm from the base of the peduncle), 23-90 x 4.5 cm (inserted at 2-10 cm), 53-153 cm (inserted at 7-18 cm), 55-155 cm (inserted at 12-43 cm), glabrous and chestnut-brown adaxially, silvery-white pubescent abaxially; non-tubular peduncular bract inserted at 10 cm below rachis, 6-28 x 0.6-0.7 cm; rachis bracts 10-16 x 1.5-2 mm; rachis 14-60 cm, with 28-77 porrect rachillae; rachillae green to pale yellow, 5-50 cm, 1.5-2.5 mm across, with bulbous base 3.5-13 x 3-4 mm and 2 cm bare part, the distal part sinuous; bracteole 1.5-2.8 x 0.6-2 mm, narrowly triangular, acuminate; pedicels 0.3-6 x 1.3 mm (maximum dimensions in fruit only) long. PISTILLATE FLOWERS quite dense, very fragrant, sticky; calyx connate for 0.6-2 mm, 1.3-2.5 mm across, the lobes 0.6-2.6 x 1-2.4 mm, ovate to triangular and acute to acuminate; petals 2.2-5 (-10, Du Puy 807) 1.5-2.3 mm long, (broadly) ovate and acuminate, pale or bright yellow; staminodes c. 1.3 x 0.3 mm; ovary 2.2-3.2 mm high, 1.3-1.8 mm across. FRUIT orange to coral-red, ovoid to oblong, rounded at the apex, 10-12 x 9-10 mm, one-seeded, with lateral stigmatic remains; in Birkinshaw 136 sometimes 2- or 3-lobed (but all fruits in this collection are without seed - though they are orange in colour); fruit often with a high percentage of abortive seed. SEED brown, 7-8 x 5-7.5 mm. EOPHYLL bifid.
- Biology
- Littoral forest on white sand, dense moist forest or dry montane forests, steep slopes, hill crests or on almost level ground; in the West in remnant riverine forest; 1-2000 m. POLLINATION AND DISPERSAL. Flowers visited by bees and small flying beetles (pers. obs.); fruit eaten by Madagascar Blue Pigeon, and defecated seeds germinating well (as did seed from fallen fruit) (C. Birkinshaw, pers. comm.).
- Conservation
- Vulnerable. Though widespread, the species occurs in fairly low numbers throughout habitats which are under threat. Littoral forests on white sand are disappearing fast. The western populations occur in high-risk areas. The sub-montane populations are depleted by cutting the trees for palm heart.
- Vernacular
- Anivo; Anivona; Mafahely (general); Soindro (Tsimihety); Ramangaisina (Betsimisaraka).
- Distribution
- NW, W and E Madagascar, Manongarivo to Marojejy and down the East coast to Vangaindrano; outlier in Bemaraha area.
[PW]
- Use
- Outer wood used for floorboards; young palm-heart cooked with manioc and eaten, but slightly bitter (hence Mafahely, which means a little bit bitter).
Native to:
Madagascar
Ravenea sambiranensis Jum. & H.Perrier appears in other Kew resources:
| Date | Reference | Identified As | Barcode | Type Status | Has image? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2011 | Ammann [MYA256], Madagascar | K000667632 | No | ||
| Feb 15, 2011 | Nusbaumer [LN2866], Madagascar | K000667631 | No | ||
| Jul 2, 2008 | Razafitsalama, J.L. [1118], Madagascar | K000526379 | No | ||
| Jul 1, 2008 | Nusbaumer, L. [LN1776], Madagascar | K000462578 | No | ||
| Feb 14, 2007 | Rakotoarinivo, M. [RMJ283], Madagascar | K000462728 | No | ||
| Feb 13, 2007 | Birkinshaw, C. [1118], Madagascar | K000462577 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 2006 | Rakotoarinivo, M. [RMJ325], Madagascar | K000462757 | No | ||
| Jun 4, 1999 | Byg, A. [11], Madagascar | K000300486 | No | ||
| May 18, 1998 | Gautier, L. [LG3231], Madagascar | K000300472 | No | ||
| May 30, 1997 | Gautier, L. [LG3052], Madagascar | K000300475 | No | ||
| Jan 4, 1997 | Gautier [LG2702], Madagascar | K000300471 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4699], Madagascar | 29047.850 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4705], Madagascar | 29047.871 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4582], Madagascar | 60556.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Dorr, L. [3619], Madagascar | K000300394 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4558], Madagascar | K000300397 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4560], Madagascar | K000300398 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Dransfield, J. [JD6448], Madagascar | K000300473 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4572], Madagascar | K000300481 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4705], Madagascar | K000300493 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4582], Madagascar | K000300495 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Beentje, H.J. [4699], Madagascar | K000300492 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1995 | Miller, J.S. [4391], Madagascar | K000300480 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4570], Madagascar | 29047.861 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6408], Madagascar | 55919.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6757], Madagascar | 56119.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4625], Madagascar | 58833.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4503], Madagascar | 58841.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4675], Madagascar | 58944.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6409], Madagascar | 59465.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4491], Madagascar | 60482.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4456], Madagascar | 60603.000 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6758], Madagascar | K000300393 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Malcomber, S. [883], Madagascar | K000300396 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4674], Madagascar | K000300399 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Cours, G. [1945], Madagascar | K000300400 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Cours, G. [4512], Madagascar | K000300401 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Malcomber, S. [1401], Madagascar | K000300402 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dumetz, N. [632], Madagascar | K000300403 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Malcomber, S. [1401], Madagascar | K000300474 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Birkinshaw, C. [CB136], Madagascar | K000300478 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4501], Madagascar | K000300479 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4491], Madagascar | K000300482 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4570], Madagascar | K000300484 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4504], Madagascar | K000300485 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6408], Madagascar | K000300488 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4625], Madagascar | K000300489 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4456], Madagascar | K000300490 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4502], Madagascar | K000300491 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4503], Madagascar | K000300494 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6409], Madagascar | K000300496 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Dransfield, J. [JD6757], Madagascar | K000300497 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1993 | Beentje, H.J. [4675], Madagascar | K000300483 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1992 | Morat, P. [4591], Madagascar | K000300395 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1992 | Du Puy, B.P. [MB807], Madagascar | K000300477 | No | ||
| Jan 1, 1992 | Dransfield, J. [JD6445], Madagascar | K000300487 | No | ||
| Dransfield, J. [JD6409], Madagascar | 29047.704 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J. [JD6448], Madagascar | 53884.000 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J. [JD6448], Madagascar | 53998.000 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J. [JD6758], Madagascar | 56081.000 | No | |||
| Birkinshaw [136], Madagascar | 59453.000 | No | |||
| Beentje, H.J. [4572], Madagascar | 59455.000 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J. [JD 6448], Madagascar | 59459.000 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J [JD 408], Madagascar | 59461.000 | No | |||
| Dransfield, J. [JD6758], Madagascar | 59554.000 | No | |||
| Beentje, H.J. [4570], Madagascar | 60437.000 | No | |||
| Beentje, H.J. [4501], Madagascar | 60441.000 | No | |||
| Beentje, H.J. [4572], Madagascar | 60506.000 | No | |||
| Beentje, H.J. [4572], Madagascar | 60549.000 | No | |||
| DuPuy, B. [MB807], Madagascar | 60646.000 | No | |||
| Byg, A. [3], Madagascar | K000300391 | No | |||
| Birkinshaw, C. [197], Madagascar | K000300392 | No | |||
| Cultivated [1986-5740] | K000521719 | No | |||
| Beentje, H. [4939], Madagascar | K000208398 | No | |||
| Beentje, H. [4938], Madagascar | K000208399 | No | |||
| Gautier, L. [LG3094], Madagascar | K000300476 | No |
First published in Ann. Mus. Colon. Marseille, sér. 3, 1: 50 (1913)
Accepted by
- Govaerts, R. & Dransfield, J. (2005). World Checklist of Palms: 1-223. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Rakotoarinivo, M., Trudgen, M.S. & Baker, W.J. (2009). The palms of the Makira protected area, Madagascar. Palms; Journal of the International Palm Society 53: 125-146.
Literature
Palmweb - Palms of the World Online
- J. Dransfield & H. Beentje, The Palms of Madagascar. 1995
Kew Backbone Distributions
- Rakotoarinivo, M., Trudgen, M.S. & Baker, W.J. (2009). The palms of the Makira protected area, Madagascar. Palms; Journal of the International Palm Society 53: 125-146.
-
Herbarium Catalogue Specimens
-
Kew Backbone Distributions
The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families 2022. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
© Copyright 2017 World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
-
Kew Names and Taxonomic Backbone
The International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families 2022. Published on the Internet at http://www.ipni.org and http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/
© Copyright 2017 International Plant Names Index and World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0
-
Palmweb - Palms of the World Online
Palmweb 2011. Palmweb: Palms of the World Online. Published on the internet http://www.palmweb.org. Accessed on 21/04/2013
Content licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0