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Report editor: Benjamin 011gaard
ISSN 0904-6453
ISBN 87-87600-55-2
FRONT COVER: Rhopaloblaste sp., Milne Bay.
PHOTO CREDITS: Anders Kjxr, Figs. 39 B; 40 B & D; 41 A & D; 46 B; 51 B
Field Guide to Palms in
Papua New Guinea
- with a multi -access key and notes on the genera
Anders S. Barfod
Roy Banka
JohnL. Dowe
2001
AAU Reports 40
Department of Systematic Botany, Aarhus University
this issue in collaboration with
PNG Forest Research Institute,
Lae and James Cook University, Townsville.
CONTENTS
PREFACE
v
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
vii
AUTHORS
viii
MAP OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
ix
CHARACTER
1
EXPLANATION
KEY WORKS
15
PALM GENERA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
22
HOW THE MULTI-ACCESS
LICUALA (FIG. 38)
LIVISTONA(FIG. 39)
CORYPHA (FIG. 40.A)
BORASSUS (FIG. 40.B-D)
METROXYLON(FIG. 41.A)
KORTHALSIA(FIG. 41.B)
CALAMUS (FrG. 41.D)
PIGAFETTA(FIG. 41.C)
NYPA (FIG. 42.A-B)
ARENGA (FIG. 42.C-D)
CARYOTA
ORANIA (FIG. 43)
CYRTOSTACHYS(FIG. 44)
CALYPTROCALYX(FIG. 45.A-B)
LINOSPADIX(FIG. 45.C)
DRYMOPHLOEUS
PTYCHOSPERMA(FIG. 46.A-B, D)
PTYCHOCOCcus (FIG. 46.C)
BRASSIOPHOENIX(FIG. 47)
22
23
25
27
29
30
30
33
34
36
37
38
40
42
42
43
45
46
48
GRONOPHYLLUM(INCL. NENGELLA) (FIG. 48.A-B)
HYDRIASTELE (FIG. 48.C)
GULUBIA (FIG. 49)
PINANGA (FIG. 50.A,C)
ARECA (FIG. 50.B)
HETEROSPATHE(SYN. PTYCHANDRA) (FIG. 51.A-B)
50
52
52
54
56
56
SOMMrERIA(FrG. 5l.B-C)
CLINOSTIGMA
RHOPALOBLASTE(FIG. 52.A-B)
58
ACTINORHYTIS (FIG. 52.C)
PHYSOKENTIA
Cocos
62
59
60
62
63
HOW TO COLLECT A PALM
65
LIST OF REFERENCES
70
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES
72
PALMS CULTIVATED IN THE NATIONAL BOTANIC
GARDEN,LAE
74
GLOSSARY
75
PREFACE
Within the Malesian region, which is thought to contain over 1000
species of palms, there are two centers of diversity. Sumatra, Borneo
and the Malay Peninsula constitutes one such center. The other
center is New Guinea which is estimated to have over 300 species.
For Papua New Guinea alone (incl. the Bismarck Archipelago and
Bougainville lsI.) the corresponding figure is lSO-200 (Essig 1977;
Hay 1984; Ferrero 1997). These are rough estimates since the Island
of New Guinea is among the least botanically known of the world's
areas of high diversity.
Palms are generally poorly represented in herbaria mainly
because they are avoided by non-specialists. To collect a palm is
hard work and unless it is correctly done, the specimens will contain
little information. This applies particularly to the large tree palms.
A recent census of the palm collections deposited in the herbarium at
the Forest Research Institute in Lae revealed more than 1400 specimens. This is a solid foundation indeed for future revisional work
in the family, however, more specimens are needed to fully document the variation and distributional ranges of particularly the larger
palm trees. Recent field work conducted by the authors has resulted
in several new species that are awaiting description and we are convinced that new discoveries are waiting ahead.
The aim of this manual is to stimulate interest in PNG palms by
providing a tool for field identification. An attempt has been made
to restrict the use of technical terms and to explain the ones that we
do use for the non-initiated student of palms. Words that are found
v
in the glossary in the back are underscored thoughout the text. For
extended vocabulary we can refer to Uhl & Dransfield (1987) and
Jones (1996). In the reference list, it is indicated with an asteriks
(*) which books and journal articles are available from the library
at the Herbarium at the Forest Research Institute in LAE.
The primary aim of the synoptic key is to cover the variation
occurring in PNG. In cases where infonnation on individual species is sparse, such as in Cyrtostachys, Gronophyllum, Hydriastele
and Heterospathe, the character coding will tend to acknowledge
the variation of the genus in its entire distributional range. It should
be noted that new discoveries will make it necessary to amend the
generic circumscriptions. We have tried to incorporate all information available to us in the literature as well as in the herbaria in
Lae (Forest Research Institute), Aarhus (Herbarium Jutlandicum,
Aarhus University, Denmark), and Brisbane (Queensland Herbarium, Dept. of Environment, Queensland, Australia). If you find
characters in the genera that are in conflict with the key or, maybe
new characters that might be useful, please do not hesitate to contact the authors.
Anders S. Barfod
Aarhus, December 2000
Vi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This book is based on the results from fieldwork conducted by the
authors, individually, or as a team between 1996 and 2000. First
of all we thank the PNG Forest Research Institute for housing our
activities and for providing help with the logistics. We are especially
thankful to director of the herbarium Robert Kiapranis for his support. During the field work we received help from many individuals. The unconditional commitment of villagers in Alotau, Bosmun,
Finchhafen, ltuly, Apomba, Roundhouse, Ihu, Baitabag, Miwaute,
and Utu Mission is gratefully acknowledged. We are greatly indebted
to the following forest officers who assured that our fieldwork ran
smoothly: Charles Rawali at the Southern Region Office, Jim Silu
and William Nemo in Alotau, Owen in Vanimo and Andrew Walam
in Weewak. Special thanks are due to graduate students Allan Damborg and Anders Kjaer for their enthusiasm during the field work.
The latter conducted additional field work on his own both in 1999
and 2000 and made numerous interesting collections. John Dransfield and Bill Baker of the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew critically
reviewed the manuscript and provided many valuable comments for
which we are very grateful. Laboratory technician Anni Sloth skillfully prepared the figs. 38-S2 from color slides and made the lastminute transfer ofthe text from Word™ to InDesignTM.
Financial support for the fieldwork conducted in 1999 and 2000 was
provided by the Carlsberg Foundation (grant no. 980298/10-11S0).
The field guide was written during Anders S. Barfod's sabbatical
leave at the Queensland herbarium, 1999-2000. We are grateful to
senior botanist Gordon Guymer for making this possible. The stay
was funded by the Danish Natural Science Research Council (grant
no. 9600861) and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of
Aarhus.
VB
AUTHORS
Anders S. Barfod. Born 1957. Cando scient. University of Aarhus
1984. Ph.D., University of Aarhus, 1988. Assistant professor at
the Department of Systematic Botany, University of Aarhus 1988.
Visiting scientist at L.H. Bailey Hortorium, Cornell University,
Ithaca, New York 1989-90. Since 1992 associate professor. Visiting scientist at the Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane, Australia
1999-2000. Address: Department of Systematic Botany, University
of Aarhus, Nordlandsvej 68, DK-8240 Risskov, Denmark. E-mail:
anders.barfod@biology.au.dk
RoyBanka. Born 1966. Bachelor of Science inforestry, University
of Technology Papua New Guinea, 1987, certificate in plant taxonomy, Indonesian Institute of Sciences 1992, graduate studies at University Pertanian Malaysia 1996. Assistant curator and botanist at
the National Botanic Garden, Lae, Papua, New Guinea. Address:
PNG Forest Research Institute, National Botanic Garden, P.O. Box
314, Lae, Papua New Guinea. E-mail: roybanka@hotmail.com
John L. Dowe. Born 1951. Bachelor of Science, James Cook University, 1997. Bachelor of Science, 1st Class Honours, James
Cook University, 1998. Ph.D commenced 1999. Botanic collections
manager, The Palmetum, Townsville Botanic Gardens, 1992-1997.
Address: Department of Tropical Biology, Tropical Plant Sciences,
James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland 4811, Australia.
E-mail: John.Dowe@icu.edu.au
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Character explanation
CHARACTER EXPLANATION
In traditional keys you are led to the correct identification through
series of alternatives. The problem with palms, however, is that you
rarely have access to all the information needed to make the right
decisions. In the multi-access or synoptic keys presented here, you
first isolate a series of useful characters from a list. Subsequently,
the characters are used to eliminate possibilities. The more characters the more precise the identification. But even if you end up with
several alternative possibilities, a most probable candidate may be
identified based on the detailed descriptions of the genera in the paragraph following the multi-access key. The characters that we have
used here are explained in the following. It should be noticed that
neither the character explanations, nor their application will necessarily apply outside Papua New Guinea. As a general rule of thumb
you should not use a character when in doubt of its meaning or
coding. Underscoring of terms indicates that these are found in the
glossary included in the back of this volume.
a. Clustering (many-stemmed)
(Fig. 1). This character can sometimes be mistaken when several
genetically separate individuals
(gamets) grows in groups. To
be sure you will have to find at
least one shoot (sucker, ramet)
departing from the very base of
the mother stem, above or below
the ground (dig!)
Fig. 1
1
Character explanation
b. Rattan (climbing, Iiana like)
(Fig. 2). In the SE Asian region,
this habit is unique to a number
of genera belonging to the subfamily Calamoideae. In PNG, all
species of Calamus and Korthalsia are lianalike.
Fig. 2
c. Stilt roots present (Fig. 3).
This character is only well
represented in Physokentia and
Clinostigma where a few thick
adventitious roots develop into
several cm thick stilts that have a
supporting function. In species of
genera such as Drymophloeus and
Areca, the adventitious roots are
sometimes very well developed
and form a basal cone. However, none of these aerial roots
are more than 1 cm thick.
Fig. 3
d. Leafsheath armed (Fig. 4).
This character is unique to the
calamoid palms. In Calamus a
few species have unarmed leafsheaths. Some cultivars of the
sago palms have unarmed leafsheaths.
Fig. 4
2
Character explanation
e. With crownshaft
(closely
inserted,
tubular
leatbases)
(Fig. 5). This character is not
always
easily
recognized
although it seems rather straightforward. In some cases, such
as in Heterospathe an intermediate situation occurs between a
crownshaft, and open leafsheaths.
This character is closely correlated with infrafoliar inflorescences. In genera with ill-defined
crownshafts the inflorescences
are usually interfoliar.
fig. 5
f.
Petiole
armed
(spines)
(Fig. 6). Armed petioles are characteristic of both palmate and
pinnate palms. In the subfamily
Coryphoideae,
the spines are
inserted along the margins of the
petiole only, whereas they are
distributed throughout in Calamoideae.
g.
Leaf palmate
Fig. 6
(Fig. 7). In
palm systematics, a fundamental
distinction is made between the
palmate leaf where the main ribs
converge towards the hastula (flap
of tissue in the middle of the
blade) and, pinnate leaves where
Fig. 7
3
Character explanation
the leaflets (or ribs in undivided
leaves) arise from points along
an extended rachis, much like in
a feather.
h. Palmate leaf split to base
(segmented) (Fig. 8). This character is unique to Licuala. It
should be noted, however, that
the leaves of some unusual forms
of Licuala beccariana are undivided.
Fig, 8
i. Leaf twice pinnate (Fig. 9).
This character is unique to the
fish-tail palms in the genus
Caryota.
j.
Rachis of pinnate leaf
strongly curved (Fig. 10). In
some species such as Actinorhytis calapparia and Gronophyllum chaunostachys the downward
curved rachis enables identification even from a distance.
Fig. 9
k. Rachis of pinnate
leaf
twisted. As a consequence of
the twisted rachis the leaflets are
held at a characteristic upright
(vertical) position. Note that the
Fig. 10
4
Character explanation
rachis may not be twisted in juveniles. Check this character in the
ubiquitous Coconut before using
it.
1. Leaflets of pinnate
leaf
unevenly spaced (grouped) (Fig.
11). Species in which this condition is found often have unevenly
wide leaflets with a varying
number of folds. In genera such
as Areca, Calyptrocalyx and Linospadix there is much variation
in the way that the blade splits
within a given population.
Fig. 11
m. Leaflets of pinnate leaf
drooping (Fig. 12). A number of
palm trees from different genera
produce leaves with drooping
leaflets that catch the wind in a
characteristic way. It has probably developed independently in
the different genera since closely
Fig. 12
related species in the respective
genera have straight or curved
leaflets. In Gulubia costata and
Rhopaloblaste ceramica drooping leaflets are combined with a
very straight leaf rachis which
makes it easy to recognize these
common specles.
5
Character explanation
n. Leaflets of pinnate leaf whitish below (Fig. 13). The leaflets
of some species are whitish mealy
underneath and there is a conspicuous contrast between the upper
side and the under side of the
leaflet.
~I
Fig. 13
o. Leaflet with an irregularly
jagged edge at the apex (praemorse) (Fig. 14). Usually this
character is associated with an
open venation pattern (diverging
ribs) of the leaflet. The apex is
wide with an irregularly, teethed
and often more or less skewed
Fig. 14
edge. Regularly toothed leaf
apices are not included in the definition of this character. These are
typically found in species with an
irregularly splitting leaf blade.
p. All leaflets of pinnate leaf
pointed at the apex (Fig. IS).
This is the opposite condition to
praemorse leaflets as well as regulary toothed apices.
Fig. IS
6
Character explanation
q. Leaflets of pinnate leaf threelobed (three-pronged) (Fig. 16).
This character is unique to Brassiophoenix. The tips of the mid
leaflets are irregularly extended
into three lobes of which the mid
one is usually the longest.
Ij?j
Fig. 16
r. Base of leaflets extended into
a flap (Fig. 17). This character
is unique to Arenga but a similar
feature have been observed in the
distal leaflets of one species of
Rhopaloblaste too.
Fig. 17
s. Inflorescences
produced
above the crown (suprafoliar)
(Fig. 18). The flowering stem
always dies after flowering
(hapaxanthic). This condition is
found in Corypha and MetroxyIon that otherwise are quite unrelated. The palm stores energy in
the trunk in the form of sago that
is mobilized to produce a terminal mass of inflorescences at the
end of the life cycle. Flowering
occurs after about 8-1 O(-15) years
in Metroxylon sagu and probably
40-45 years in Corypha utan
(fomlinson and Soderholm 1975,
as C. elata).
Fig. 18
7
Character explanation
t. Inflorescence produced below
crown (infrafoliar) (Fig. 19). In
most genera with infrafoliar inflorescences the stem continues
growth after flowering (pleonanthic). Exceptions are the hapaxanthic genera Arenga and Caryota
where inflorescences are formed
from the top and downward. The
last inflorescences produced are
infrafoliar. At this point, however, all the leaves are dying.
Fig. 19
u. Inflorescence branching inside prophyll (Fig. 20). This condition is found in Calyptrocalyx
and Livistona where basal branching of the inflorescences produce
axes of more or less equal length
which share a common prophyll.
Each axis bears one to several
empty bracts inserted below the
rachillae that resemble the peduncular bract of most palm inflorescences.
Fig. 20
v. First order branches exposed
and almost as thick as the main
axis (Fig. 21). The first order
branches are not contained inside
sheathing bracts. The peduncle
is short to missing. The lateral
branches at the base are very thick
and perpendicular to the main
Fig. 21
aXIs.
8
Character explanation
w. Peduncle of inflorescence
long (> 20 cm). A basic distinction can be made between
those inflorescences that are long
pedunculate and those that are
almost sessile. Intermediate conditions exist that are difficult to
refer to either type. The character should not be applied in those
cases.
x. Sheathing bract woody (Fig.
22). A character that is unique to
all members of the cocoid palms
(tribe Cocoeae) that are mainly
distributed in SouthAmerica. The
woody bract protects the delicate
tissues in bud and roofs the inflorescence at anthesis.
y. Bracts subtending inflorescence branches tubular (Fig.
23). In the subfamilies Coryphoideae and Calamoideae, the
bracts that subtend the inflorescence branches (rachis bracts) are
tubular. Tubular bracts are associated with elongation of the main
axis between the nodes. The individual first order branches constitute separate functional units that
are termed partial inflorescences.
Fig. 22
Fig. 23
9
Character explanation
z. Empty bract on the peduncle (peduncular bract) attached
just below the flowering portion
ofthe spike (Fig. 24). This is quite
characteristic of the genera Linospadix and Sommiera, the former
being an unbranched spike, the
latter branched to the first order.
The peduncular bract of Linospadix abscises before anthesis
whereas inSommieria, the peduncular bract is persistent to fruitmg.
Fig. 24
A. Inflorescence branches and
rachillae curled in bud (Fig. 25).
The inflorescence branches and
flower-bearing branches (rachillae) are packed in a sinuous pattern inside the bud to look like
intestines inside a stomach. The
effect of this packing is still visible in the newly exposed inflorescences. This is a distinguishing
character for Rhopaloblaste.
It
occurs to a lesser degree in Orania
also.
10
Fig. 25
Character explanation
Inflorescence spicate (Fig. 26).
The entire inflorescence from its
point of attachment in the axil
of the prophyll to the tip is
unbranched and the flowers are
sunken.
C. Rachillae pendulous on a
short rachis (Fig. 27). The inflorescence looks like a horse tail due
to numerous pendulous rachillae
of approximately the same length
that are borne on a small upright
rachis, as opposed to divaricate
(spreading) branching. Intermediate conditions exist that are dif-
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
ficult to refer to either type. The
character should not be used in
those cases.
D. Monoecious inflorescence
protogynous (Fig. 28). Only
applicable to the subfamilies
Nypoideae and Arecoideae. The
female flower opens before the
male flowers in the same
inflorescence (the female flowers
are open when the stigma is
exposed).
11
Fig. 28
Character explanation
E. Groups of two male flowers
and one female flower (triad)
(Fig. 29). This character distinguishes more than half of all palm
species. To check it you must
look at the base of the flowerbearing branches (rachillae) in
the case that these are basigynous
(see character F).
Fig. 29
F. Female flowers only on the
lower half of the flowerbearing
branches (Fig. 30). In some Arecoid genera, perfect triads are only
found at the base of the rachillae
(basigynous). The remaining part
of the rachillae only bears paired
or single male flowers.
r.;
Fig. 30
G. Flowers
borne in pits or
sunken (Fig. 31). A clearer definition of this character is not possible. It is used here in a rather
strict sense. If in doubt omit it!
H. Number of stamens more
than 6 (multi-staminate)
(Fig.
32). In monoecious and dioecious genera this character only
applies to the male flower (staminate flower).
Fig. 31
~~
if
~
Fig. 32
12
Character explanation
I. Female flower several times
the size of the male flower. This
character represents an extreme in
the separation of sexual expression and occurs both in dioecious
palms (e. g. Borassus) and monoecious palms (e. g. Areca).
1. Largest
fruits more than 4
em long. Although most fruits
of palms are small in Papua New
Guinea, large fruit are found in
several genera.
K. Scaled fruit
skin (epicarp)
(Fig. 33). Only representatives of
the genera Calamus, Korthalsia,
Metroxylon and Pigafetta have
scaly fruits. This is an diagnostic
feature of the subfamily CalamoiFig. 33
deae.
L. Fruits warty (Fig. 34). During
fruit development the outer layers
of the fruit dry up and split, so
that the surface becomes corky
and warted.
M. Fruit
ripening
black.
As
opposed to fruits fruits that are red
at maturity, the condtion found in
most genera.
13
Fig. 34
Character explanation
N. Longitudinally
furrowed
stone (endocarp) (Fig. 35). Most
palm fruits are drupes. The socalled "stone" or "nut" is formed
by the inner layers of the carpels
during fruit maturation.
The
botanically correct term for this
structure is endocarp. The outer
Fig. 35
seed coat (seed testa) is often
fused with the endocarp.
O. Ruminate endosperm (Fig.
36). Due to intrusions of the seedcoat the cross sections of the
endosperm becomes brownish to
reddish striated. This is in contrast to the homogeneous endospenn which is uniformly white
and sometimes with a cavity in
the middle.
Fig. 36
P. Germination remote (Fig. 37).
During germination, the young
plant is pushed away from the
seed by the stalkpedicel of the
cotyledon. The latter is contained
within the seed and serves as an
absorptive organ which mobilises
the energy and nutrients stored in
the endosperm.
Fig. 37
14
Multi-access key
MULTI-ACCESS
KEY
The Multi-Acces key incorporates the variation in PNG palms as
known to us. It has been constructed so that mainly the unusual
character states are considered. "Unusual" in this context signifies that the character state is not represented in the main part of
the genera listed. When non-applicable, a character should not be
used e. g. the character "all leaflets of pinnate leaf pointed" is not
applicable to a palmate leaf.
1. Select those characters from the list that are represented in the
palm you wish to identify. If you are in doubt about a character then do not use it.
2. Write down the letters for the characters selected on a piece of
paper in alphabetical order ("A" after "z")
3. Find the best match between the characters selected and the
characters listed for each genus either in the alphabetical genus
list (Tab. 1) or in the multi-access key (Tab. 2).
4. In the case you end up with several genera, try to check with
the diagnostic features and general information on distribution,
ecology, and use.
S. If that fails try the herbarium for a best match.
IS
Multi-access key
With only a few characters represented in the palm that you wish
to identify e.g. in a herbarium specimen you can choose another
strategy:
1. Select a character and find the genera in table 2 where this is
represented. Write down the genera in numerical order. Make
space between the numbers that more or less corresponds to the
numerical distance between them,
/3 ..4
,10
12
2$
2. Select another character and write the numbers of the genera
down under the first line so that eventual overlap in genera numbers becomes conspicuous,
2
3..4 ..·
:..6
·E· ···.H
.
10
12
2
L-....J "-----
You have now isolated three genera (l0, 12 and 25) with the character combination at hand. In this way you use the characters
positively to narrow down the choice. Alternatively, you can use
a character that you know surely is not present in the specimen
at hand negatively to eliminate genera from the initial list e. g.
if you have a specimen with small fruits, you can remove all the
genera which comply with the character 'Largest fruits more
than 4 cm long' .
16
Multi-access key
4. Either you can continue the procedure by selecting another character from the list or, you can continue at point 4 in the previous
procedure.
The key is aimed at covering normally developing palms in their
natural habitat. Avoid trying to identify juveniles, genetically aberrant forms (check with the rest of the population at a given site) or
palms that have been exposed to stress e.g. along roads.
17
Multi-access key
Table 1. Character states listed for PNG palm genera. Italics indicate
that the genus represents an intermediate condition according to the
character definition. Bold face is used for characters that are particularly useful for identification. Underlining indicates that the genus
is polymorphic for the given character.
1. Actinorhytis (p. 62)
2. Areca (p. 56)
3. Arenga (p' 36)
4. Borassus (p. 27)
5. Brassiophoenix (p' 48)
6. Calamus (p. 30)
7. CaZyptrocalyx (p. 42)
8. Caryota (p. 37)
9. Clinostigma (p. 59)
10. Cocos (p. 63)
11. Corypha (p. 25)
12. Cyrtostachys (p. 40)
l3. Drymophloeus (p. 43)
14. Gronophyllum (p' 50)
15. Gulubia (p. 52)
16. Heterospathe (p. 56)
17. Hydriastele (p. 52)
18. Korthalsia (p. 30)
19. Licuala (p. 22)
20. Linospadix (p. 42)
21. Livistona (p. 23)
22. Metroxylon (p. 29)
23. Nypa (p. 34)
24. Orania (p' 38)
25. Physokentia (p. 62)
26. Pigafetta (p. 33)
27. Pinanga (p. 54)
28. Ptychococcus (p. 46)
29. Ptychosperma (p. 45)
30. RhopalobZaste (p. 60)
31. Sommieria (p. 58)
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emptCDEM
pEO
aelotCDE
abdfnoyK
fghwyNOP
~lwzBEG
fgywyJLMP
aQfsyJK
DI
knoEJP
ceptEMNO
fyK
etDEMO
eQtEHJNO
~elotEHNO
emprtAEO
lnwzEGL
18
key
Multi-access
Table. 2. Multi-access key. See legend of Table 1 for further explanation. The estimated number of species in PNG is shown in brackels []
after each genus.
d e f
abc
Coryphoideae
Licuala [18-20]
Livistona [5-7]
Corypha [1]
Borassus r 11
Calamoideae
Metroxylon [1]
Korthalsia [I]
Calamus [30-40]
Pigafetta [1]
Nypoideae
Nypa [1]
Arecoideae
Arenga [1]
Caryota [2]
Orania [5-10]
Cyrtostachys [3-5]
Calyptrocalyx [18]
Linospadix [1]
Drymophloeus [1]
Ptychosperma [15-20]
Ptychococcus [3-4]
Brassiophoenix [2]
Gronophyllum [10-15]
Hydriastele [2-3]
Gulubia [2]
Pinanga [1]
Areca [7-8]
Heterospathe [15-20]
Sommiera [1]
Clinostigma [1]
Rhopaloblaste [3-4]
Actinorhytis [1]
Physokentia [1]
Cocos [1]
2:
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Multi-access
v w x y z ABCD
Coryphoideae
Licuala [18-20]
w
Livistona [S-7]
l!::
Corypha [1]
w
w
Borassus 11
Calamoideae
Metroxylon [1]
Korthalsia [1]
Calamus [30-40]
Pigafetta [1]
Nypoideae
Nypa [1]
,recoideae
renga [1]
'aryota [2]
'rania [S-1O]
yrtostachys [3-5]
v
'alyptrocalyx [18]
l!::
inospadix [1]
w
'rymophloeus [1]
tychosperma [lS-20]
tychococcus [3-4]
rassiophoenix [2]
!ronophyllum [10-IS]
ydriastele [2-3]
!ulubia [2-3]
inanga [1]
reca [7-8]
'eterospathe [IS-20]
')mmiera [1]
w
linostigma [1]
R hopaloblaste [3-4]
A ctinorhytis [1]
P hysokentia [1]
ocos [1]
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MNO
J
Palm genera in PNG
PALM GENERA IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA
The palm family is divided in five subfamilies based on theories
of evolution and common descent. Notice that the names of subfamilies all have the ending '--oideae'. Here, the latest formalized
attempt towards a unified classification of palms by Uhl and Dransfield (1987) has been followed. This applies not only to the division
in subfamilies but also the order of appearance of the genera. Since
genera that are morphologially similar are arranged next to each
other, it is easy to compare several alternatives resulting from the
multi-access keying procedure.
Coryphoideae. All the palmate leaved palms in PNG belong to
this subfamily. They are either dioecious with strongly dimorphic
inflorescences (Borassus) or hermaphroditic (Livistona, Licuala and
Corypha). The leaf lamina is split to the base in equal or unequalsized segments in Licuala. In the remaining genera, the central portion of the palmate leaf remains unsplit. In Borassus and Corypha
the tubular leafsheath develop an additional, reverse v-shaped split
below the petiole.
Licuala (Fig. 38)
Dia~nostic features: Small to medium sized palm trees or shrubs.
Petioles armed basally. Leaf blade (lamina) divided to the center
(hastula) in a number of segments (Fig. 8), rarely unsplit. Filaments
fused into a tube. In Livistona the filaments are also fused basally but
less completely so.
Distribution in PNG: An estimated 18-20 species occur in Papua
New Guinea. Common species are L. lauterbachii (widespread in
the lowlands), L. beccariana (Madang, East Sepik and Sandaun Pro-
22
Palm genera in PNG
vinces), L. montana (Gulf Province). Liettala tanycola (Central Province) is unusual by having a single partial inflorescence. The New
Guinea species are characterized by arborescent habit, solitary stems,
and stalked (pedicellate) and typically glabrous flowers. Several new
species are awaiting description. The species L. ramosa and L. simplex originally described in a separate genus Dammera are both
synonyms of L. beccariana. Important field characters for distinction between species are habit, splitting of the blade, position of the
inflorescence in the crown, texture and colour of the rachis bract,
flower colour, fruit size, and ornamentation of the endocarp (stone
inside fruit).
Global distribution: From East India to the Solomon Islands and
Vanuatu. Ranging as far north as the Philippines. One species occurs
in tropical Queensland, Australia.
Ecolo~y: Rain forest with well developed canopies.
Uses: Leaves for thatching and packing material. Timber for walking
sticks and bows.
Livistona (Fig. 39)
Diagnostic features: Solitary trees, leaves palmate, petiole armed or
unarmed, blade (lamina) not divided to the base in segments, with
deep incisions between folds, often with drooping tips. Most species
occurring in PNG are characterized by their inflorescences branching
inside the prophyll in three separate axes and by their generally large
fruits (up to more than 4 cm in diam.). L. muelleri and L. benthamii
with basally unbranched inflorescences and small fruits both extend
into the Cape York Peninsula of Australia. Important field characters
for distinction between species are splitting of leafsheath, armature
ofthe petiole, splitting and folding ofthe
blade, branching pattern
and hair covering of the inflorescence, flower colour, and fruit size.
23
Palm genera in PNG
ig. 38. Licuala. A. L. crassiflora. Inflorescence. B. L. parviflora.
Fruits (bright red). C. L. longispadix in ed. D. L. parviflora. Flowers
(A-D. Sandaun Province).
24
Palm genera in PNG
Distribution
in PNG: 5-7 species widespread in the lowlands and at
moderate altitudes.
Global distribution: One species occurs in Somalia and on the Arabian Peninsula, the remaining species are distributed throughout tropical SE Asia from the Himalayas and eastwards to the Western Pacific region reaching the Solomon Islands in the east and Australia
where about half of the species are found.
Ecology: Often occurring in savannah woodlands and well drained
soils e. g. on steep slopes. Many species are functionally dioecious.
Whereas there is no morphological difference between male and
female flowers, only some individuals carry fruits.
Uses: Often first choice for thatching.
Corypha (Fig. 40.A)
Diagnostic features: Massive tree palms with large palmate leaves.
Leaf bases split to the base with a characteristic additional longitudinal split below the petiole. Petiole heavily anned along edges. The
inflorescences are exposed above the crown (suprafoliar, fig. 18) at
the end of the life cycle (hapaxanthic). Only one morphological type
of flowers (hermaphroditic, flowers not differentiated in male and
females). The fruits are small and glabrous.
Distribution in PNG: Only one species, Corypha utan, has been
reported from the Western Province.
Global distribution: Ranging from southern India and Sri Lanka
through Bangladesh to Indochina and Malesia, and into northern
Australia.
Ecology: Often growing in areas with a seasonal climate.
Uses: From the Western Province it has been reported that the starch
(sago) is extracted from the stem. This is particulaly important during
periods of extended drought since it provides both food and water.
25
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 39. Livistona. A. L. surru in ed. Note the fibrous remnants
of the leafsheaths. B. L. papuana. Young infructescences. C-D. L.
tothur in ed. C. habit. D. Inflorescence. Note the trifurcation at the
base. The flowers are crimson red (A, C-D. Sandaun Province;
B. Central Province).
26
Palm genera in PNG
Borassus (Fig. 40.B-D)
Diagnostic features: Solitary tree palm with palmate leaves. Petiole
unarmed. Leafsheaths split to the base with a characteristic additionallongitudinal split below the petiole. Male and female flowers are
distributed on separate individuals (dioecious) that are morphologically very different (dimorphic). The male flowers are gathered in
highly condensed clusters (cincinni) that are sunken within pits in
the flower-bearing branches (rachillae). The fruits are very large with
a blackish shiny surface. They contain three endocarps, each with a
single seed inside.
Distribution in PNG: A single species in PNG, B. heineana, is
distributed in the upper Sepik region.
Global distribution: The genus is found in continental Africa, Madagascar, around the Indian Ocean and in SE Asia with an eastern outpost in New Guinea.
Ecology: Growing on alluvial sands.
Uses: Used in the middle Sepik region to built spirit houses.
27
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 40. Corypha and Borassus. A. Corypha ulan. B-D. Borassus
heineana B. Leaf. C. Fruits. D. Palm cultivated in village.
28
Palm genera in PNG
Calamoideae. The Calamoid palms all have scaly fruits (Fig. 33).
The outer seed testa is swollen (sarcotesta) in Calamus and Metroxylon and forms the astringent to sour tasting flesh between the
seed and the thin mesocarp layer. Flowers often gathered in pairs
(dyads).
Metroxylon (Fig. 41.A)
Diagnostic features: A fast growing clustering palm often occuring
in dense monospecific stands. The individual stems eventually produce a mass of inflorescences at the end of their life cycle like in
Corypha. The flowers are either male or hermaphroditic (with both
male and female function). The fruits are medium sized and scaly.
The sarcotesta is thin to thick. The endosperm is homogeneous.
Distribution in PNG:' Semi-cultivated populations are ubiquitous
in the lowlands of PNG. The armature of the leaves is variable and
forms the basis for local classification in cultivars.
Global distribution: The genus is distributed in the east Malesian
region, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji and the Carolines.
One species, M sagu, is cultivated throughout the SE Asian region
and has become naturalized in many places.
Status: Very few complete herbarium collections of sago palms exist.
Scientific documentation for variation of especially the flowers and
fruits is weak. Always make a collection if you happen to see a
newly harvested individual. Remember to take detailed ethnobotanical notes (local name and uses).
Ecology: Restricted to periodically inundated soils and freshwater
swamps.
Uses: For construction material and production of sago, the staple
diet in many places of PNG. All parts of the leaves are used: the
blade for thatch, the leafsheath for sago mills, and the petioles for
making walls in houses.
29
Palm genera in PNG
Korthalsia (Fig. 41.B)
Diagnostic features: One of the most distinct genera in PNG with
its climbing habit (rattan), cirrate leaves, and rhomboid, praemorse
leaflets that are whitish underneath. Like in Corypha and Metroxylon
the inflorescences are produced at the end of the life cycle but in an
axilliary position to the leaves. Species of Korthalsia are unusual by
being able to produce aerial branches. The flowers are hermaphroditic and apparently protandrous. The seed coat is thin, not fleshy. The
mesocarp constitutes the fleshy part. The endosperm is homogeneous or ruminate.
Distribution in PNG: Possibly only one species, Korthalsia zippeIii, is widely distributed in the lowlands. The overall appearance of
the inflorescence and the leafsheaths is quite variable. Recently we
collected a Korthalsia in Bewani (Sandaun Province) which has a
condensed inflorescence that looks very different from the typical K.
zippelii (fig. 41.B).
Global distribution: Common element of the rainforests in continental SE Asia (Burma, Thailand and Indochina) and the Malesian
regIOn.
Status: Flowering material of this species is badly needed.
Ecology: Widespread in the lowlands.
Uses: No uses have been recorded.
Calamus (Fig. 41.D)
Diagnostic features: Climbing. An armed, whip-like organ that
helps the plant attach itself to the surrounding vegetation is formed
by either an extension of the leaf rachis (citTus) or a sterile inflorescence (flagellum). The inflorescences are produced at regular intervals (pleonanthic) in the axils of the often heavily armed, tubular,
leaf bases. Dioecious with solitary male flowers on male plants,
30
Palm genera in PNG
and a sterile male flower coupled with a pistillate flower (dyads) on
female plants. This is typical of the genus but some of the New Guinean (and Sulawesian) species are unusual by having flower clusters
of two lateral, female flowers and one central, sterile male flower.
Important characters for distinction between species are: habit (clustering or solitary); presence of latex in the stem; armature of leafsheath and petiole; ~istribution, texture, and orientation of leaflets;
origin of whiplike organs (cirrate versus flagellate); branching pattern of the inflorescence; fruit colour and size; endospenn ruminations.
Distribution in PNG: Occurring in all provinces. On a given locality
we have often observed 3-4 species of Calamus occuring together.
Global distribution: With an estimated 390 species this is by far the
largest genus of palms. It has a wide distribution ranging from Africa
in the West through India, Sri Lanka, and the Malay Peninsular to
New South Wales, Australia in the south and Fiji in the east. PNG is
one of the centres of diversity of the genus.
Ecology: A typical element in the lowland rainforest but also ranging
into the montane parts of New Guinea reaching an altitude of more
than 2000 m.
Status: All collections of rattans are welcome. This applies firstly to
flowering material, but sterile material is also valuable since identification is often based on the characteristic tubular Ieafbases and the
leaf.
Uses: In rural PNG where no nails are available the long stems
(canes) of Calamus are used as rope to tie logs together in house
construction and many other purposes. The canes are also used for
making baskets. The leaves are sometimes using for wrapping up
food.
31
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 41. A. Metroxylon sagu. Plant with young infructescence. B.
Korthalsia cf zippelii. Notice the unusually condensed infructescence. C. Pigafetta filaris near Vanimo. D. Calamus sp.
32
Palm genera in PNG
Pigafetta (Fig. 41.C)
Diagnostic features: Tall solitary pinnate leaved tree palm lacking
a crownshaft. The stem is light grey to green distally, conspicuously
ringed. The leafsheaths and petioles are heavily armed with spines
in linear groups much like in Metroxylon. In contrast to the latter,
however, it produces inflorescences at regular intervals (pleonanthic)
that are positioned inside and underneath the crown (interfoliar to
infrafoliar). The main axis of the inflorescence (rachis) is long with
pendulous partial inflorescences. Dioecious, with clusters of two fertile staminate flowers (dyads) in male plants and solitaIY pistillate
flowers in the female plants.
Distribution in PNG: A single species in PNG, Pigafettafilaris, is
only found in the Sandaun Province near Vanimo.
Global distribution: Two species of which one is found in Sulawesi
and one in the Moluccas and New Guinea.
Ecology: Locally abundant in disturbed habitats from sea level to
about 500 m.
Status: Although this majestic palm is relatively well-known almost
all the material collected is female.
Uses: No uses recorded.
33
Palm genera in PNG
Nypoideae. Comprises just one genus, with one species (monotypK). Shows several aberrant features for palms such as the extremely
dimorphic flowers, female flowers at the tip of the inflorescence axis
(acrogynous), and the free carpels that are not extended apically into
a style. The leaves are pinnately divided.
Nypa (Fig. 42.A-B)
Diagnostic features: A mangrove associated plant that can form
very large mono specific stands e.g at the mouth of the Kikori River
in the Gulf Province. The prostrate stem is often covered by mud. It
branches in two at irregular intervals. The pinnate leaves, are spineless. The inflorescences are produced in the axils of the leaves well
protected by numerous leathery bracts against the harmful effect of
salt water. The female flowers are borne on the club shaped tip (apex)
of the main axis (rachis). The male flowers are gathered on lateral
branches (rachillae). The female flowers are receptive before anthesis of the male flowers (protogynous inflorescence). The infructescence is head shaped.
Distribution in PNG: Nypa fruticans is very common in estuaries
and behind protected coasts with mangrove.
Global distribution: The only species in the genus is widely distributed in tropical SE Asia from the Ganges Delta and Sri Lanka in
the west to the Solomon Islands in the east. Pollen fossils of Nypa
have been found from Eocene and late Cretaceous layers in North
America, Europe and Tasmania. Nypa has been introduced to West
Africa and has spread to the New World.
Ecolo~y: This is the only palm which can grow successfully in mangrove habitats exposed to anaerobic conditions of the substrate and
water of fluctuating salinity.
Uses: The leaves are used for thatching in many places in PNG. In
some coastal areas the leaf rachis is used for walls in houses. The
leaflets of the juvenile leaves are used for ornaments.
34
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 42. A-B. Nypa fruticans. A. Nypa dominated vegetation along
the mouth of one of the rivers in the Gulf Province. Further inland
dominance by Metroxylon sagu (darker). B. Nypa fruticans. Lake
Songkhla, Thailand C-D. Arenga microcarpa C. Male flowers. D.
Palm growing along the side of the road.
35
Palm genera in PNG
Arecoideae. About half of all palms known to science are classified
in this subfamily characterised by pinnate leaves and flowers being
gathered in units of two male flowers and one female flower (triad).
The leaves can be once or twice pinnately divided as in Caryota.
In Sommieria and some members of Calyptrocalyx and Gronophyllum, the leaf is undivided with a deep incision at the tip (bifid). The
leafsheath is often tubular forming a crownshaft.
Arenga (Fig. 42.C-D)
Diagnostic features: Caespitose palm with several shoots. The leaf
sheaths disintegrate into a black fibrous mesh. The leaf is once pinnate. The leaflets are dark green above, whitish below, praemorse,
with a more or less conspicuous flap of tissue at the base (Fig. 17),
sometimes extending across the rachis. The folding of the leaflets
is V-shaped (induplicate). The individual stems flower at the end
of their lifecycle from the top and downward (basipetal flowering
sequence). In some inflorescence only the female flowers are functional, in others only the male. We have observed individuals with
several inflorescences borne at the same node (multiple inflorescences). The flowering of these is not synchronized. The sap from the
fruit contains irritant, needlelike crystals - a fact that should be
remembered when collecling. The endospenn is homogeneous.
Distribution in PNG: Possibly only one widespread and variable
species, A. microcarpa, common in the lowlands all over PNG.
Global distribution: The genus Arenga comprises about 17 species
ranging from India in the west to New Guinea and Northern Australia
in the east. In the north it reaches the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan.
Ecology: A common species forming dense thickets in disturbed,
light-open, habitats. It also occurs in creeks and on steep slopes in
lowland rainforest.
Uses: The young leaves are used for making bast skirts worn by dancers at traditional ceremonies. The cabbage is eaten.
36
Palm genera in PNG
Caryota
Diagnostic features: Another easily recognisable palm genus due to
its's bipinnate leaves (Fig. 9). The folding of the leaflets is V-shaped
(induplicate). The leaflets are wedgeshaped and praemorse with an
oblique, truncate apex. The stem flowers at the end of the lifecycle
from the top and downward (basipetal flowering). The inflorescences
bear flowers of both sexes. The inflorescences are solitary at each
node. The sap from the fruit conlains irritant, needlelike crystals - a
fact that should be remembered when collecting.
Distribution in PNG: Two species have been recorded from PNG.
One is locally distributed in the Torricelli Mts. where it is known as
"Mitibe". It has characteristic stripes on the petioles fonned by the
patchy distribution of reddish brown scales. The other species which
is filed in the herbarium in LAE under Caryota rumphiana, is widely
distributed with two forms: a robust one and a slender trunked one.
The latter is very similar to C. albertii found on Cape York. Whether
the robust fonn is in fact C. rumphiana var. papuana remains to be
demonstrated.
Global distribution: The genus Caryota is widely distributed from
Sri Lanka and India in the west throughout SE Asia to Vanuatu in the
east and northern Queensland in the south.
Ecology: Caryota occurs in the lowlands and submontane forests.
It is commonly seen in clearings where it is left due to the heavily
sclerified peripheral layers of the trunk which are hard to cut.
Status: The conclusion whether two or three species are present in
PNG is pending better documentation for the variation.
Uses: The starch (sago) is extracted from the stem. The leaf rachis
makes an excellent fishing rod. The fruits are eaten after prolonged
boiling or sometimes used as betel nut substitute. The sclerified peripherallayers of the stem are used for floor boards and axe handles.
37
Palm genera in PNG
Orania (Fig. 43)
Diagnostic features: Medium sized to large, pinnate leaved palms
without crownshaft. The leaflets are praemorse and whitish underneath. Unlike Arenga the folding of the leaves is revers~ V-shaped
(reduplicate). The inflorescence is produced inside the crown (interfoliar). The sheathing peduncular bract is long, widened distally with
a beaked (rostrate), woody tip. The narrow basal part often disintegrates at some point whereby the peduncular bract becomes pendulous. The fruits are big and orange red to brownish, rounded when
single-seeded with two knobs at the base (remnants from the undeveloped carpels), or often 2-3 seeded with a corresponding number
of rounded lobes. The endospenn is homogeneous. A preliminary
revision was produced by Essig (1980) who used characters such
as number of flowers per flower-bearing branch (rachilla), pinnae
orientation, hair covering of the inflorescence branches, shape of
the staminate flowers, and inflorescence architecture to distinguish
between the different species. The widespread 0. lauterbachiana is
characterized by red brown hair covering of the inflorescence branches. One species, O. disticha, is characterised by having the leaves
inserted in two opppsite rows.
Distribution in PNG: Species of Orania occur in all provinces in
PNG from sea level to about 1500 m.
Global distribution: About 20-25 species are distributed from Peninsula Thailand across the Malesian region reaching New Guinea in
the east (Essig 1980). Three species occurs in Madagascar.
Ecology: A typical element ofthe subcanopy in the rainforest. Orania
disticha extends into the seasonal forest around Port Moresby.
Status: More collections are needed.
Uses: The cabbage and fruits of all species of Orania are allegedly
pOIsonous
38
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 43. Orania sp. A. Female flowers. B. Habit. C. Male flowers.
39
Palm genera in PNG
Cyrtostachys (Fig. 44)
Diagnostic features: Solitary, rarely clustered tree palms. Leafsheath
tubular forming a glabrous to sparsely scaly crownshaft. Petiole and
rachis glabrous or scaly on lower side. Leaflets numerous, regularly
distributed, spreading or pendent, pointed at the tips. Inflorescence
branches and rachillae more or less straight in bud. Peduncle very
short to missing, basal first order branches almost as thick as main
branch (rachis), often angled, subtended by inconspicuous bracts.
Prophyll glabrous, deciduous. Rachilla with densely inserted floral
triads throughout, sunken within pits. Staminate flowers symmetrical. Fruits bullet-shaped, less than 2 cm long, ripening black, stigmatic remains apical, seed smooth without venation pattern, endosperm
homogeneous. Cyrtostachys can be hard to identify positively from
a distance since it shows many similarities to Rhopaloblaste in habit
and vegetative parts. The combination of the following characters
reveals its identity in PNG: 1) basal first order branches almost as
thick as the main branch, 2) flowers borne in pits, 3) fruits smaller
than 2 cm and bulletshaped, 4) fruits ripening black, and 5) endospenn homogeneous.
Distribution in PNG: Commonly found in lowland rainforest throughoutPNG.
Global distribution: Eight species distributed on the Malay Peninsular, Sumatra, Borneo and New Guinea reaching the Solomon Islands
in the east.
Ecology: Widespread in lowland rainforest up to about 800 m.
Status: The genus has never been given revisional attention. More
documentation is needed before an accurate account can be written
for PNG. All collections are of interest.
Uses: The sclereified peripheral layers of the stem are used for floor
boards
40
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 44. Cyrtostachys. A. Cyrtostachys sp. Habit. Note the pendent
leaflets. B. Cyrlostachys sp. Inflorescence. Note the thick and angled
lateral branches at the base C. Cyrtostachys sp. Detail of inflorescence in the female phase. D. Cyrtostachys sp. Detail of inflorescence in the male phase.
41
Palm genera in PNG
Calyptrocalyx (Fig. 45.A-B)
Diagnostic features: Often clustering understorey palms. The pinnately divided leaves typically show considerable variation within
one population. The red tinged, newly unfolded leaves in the center
of the crown are characteristic of most species, a feature they share
with some species of Heterospathe and Gronophyllum. The inflorescence is often branched within the prophyll in a number of axes that
appear as separate inflorescences. A persistent bract is inserted at the
base of each. The floral axes are spicate with triads (usually) sunken
in pits on the rachilla. The fruits are red or crimson red (sometimes
black) at maturity. Half the species have homogeneous endosperm,
the other half ruminate endosperm. A revision of the New Guinea
species has recently been submitted by John Dowe and Michael Ferrero.
Distribution
in PNG: The 18 species occuring in PNG are wide-
spread in the lowlands.
Global distribution: Twenty-seven species, with one in the Moluccas, the remainder in New Guinea.
Ecology: Widespread and often common locally in rain forest from
sea level to about 1500 m. Most species are understorey plants like
the widespread C. hollrungii but a few, like C. albertisianus, can
reach considerable height in the subcanopy.
Uses: Leaves used for wrapping food especially during work in the
forest.
LblOspadix (Fig. 45.C)
Diagnostic features: The single species of Linospadix present in
PNG is similar to the smaller species of Calyptrocalyx but differs by
having a peduncular bract which is inserted at the distal end of the
peduncle where it is detached at anthesis. The inflorescence does not
branch within the prophyll and is genuinely spicate. The endospenn
is homogeneous.
42
Palm genera in PNG
Distribution in PNG: One species, L. alberlisiana, is widespread in
the lowlands of most PNG provinces.
Global distribution: Seven species, with one in Irian Jaya, one in
Papua New Guinea and five in eastern Australia.
Ecology: Widespread in lowland rain forest from sea level to about
1000 m.
Uses: Leaves used for wrapping food especially during work in the
forest.
Drymophloeus
Diagnostic features: A typical member of the subtribe Ptychospermatinae with wedge shaped, praemorse leaflets, male flowers that
have more than six stamens (multistaminate) and are bigger than the
female flowers. Drymophloeus is characterised by having a brownish, scaly hairy rachis, dissimilar prophyll and peduncular bract
that are inserted well apart and an endocarp that is rounded to fivelobed in cross section. The single species occurring in PNG combines ruminate endosperm with a lobed endocarp. The latter character is the main reason why it was formerly referred to Ptychosperma. The fruit is red, elongate to rounded about 1.5 cm long. The
genus has recently been revised by Zona (1999) who uses characters such as presence of stilt roots, stamen number, relative length
of the peduncle, fruit size, and endosperm rumination to distinguish
between species.
Distribution in PNG: One species, D. hentyi (syn. Ptychosperma
hentyi), is only known from New Britain.
Global distribution: According to Zona (1999) seven species are
distributed in the Maluku Islands and northwestern New Guinea
(Vogelkop Peninsula), absent from the remainder of the New Guinea
mainland and appears again in New Britain and the Solomon Islands
extending as far as Samoa.
Ecology: Solitary understorey rainforest palm found at 0-670 m ele43
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 45. A-B. Calyptrocalyx hollrungii. A. Male flowers. B. Habit.
C. Linospadix albertisiana. Male flowers D. Calyptrocalyx alberlisianus. Fruit. Note the ruminate endosperm.
vation. Sometimes cultivated outside its native range.
Status: Any record of this genus from mainland PNG and New Ireland would be exciting.
Uses: None recorded.
44
Palm genera in PNG
Ptychosperma (Fig. 46.A-B, D)
Diagnostic features: Solitary to clustering, usually moderate-sized
palms, leafsheath tubular forming a crownshaft, leaf morphology
variable, with petiole short or elongate, leaflets regularly or irregularly arranged, wedge shaped, obliquely or concavely praemorse, to
linear and notched (never three-lobed as in Brassiophoenix). Male
flowers multistaminate, bigger than the female flowers. The transverse veinlets are often quite conspicuous iri contrast to Ptychococcus and Brassiophoenix. Prophyll and peduncular bracts are similar
in size and texture, the latter however often has a woody to chartaceous beak. Rachillae with triads basally and male flowers distally,
solitary or in pairs. Endocarp with fibres that extend into the inner
flesh of the fruit (mesocarp). The ornamentation of the endocarp in
Ptychosperma represents an intelmediate condition in the subtribe
between the rounded to furrowed endocarp of Drymophloeus on one
hand and the deeply grooved endocarps of Ptychococcus and Brassiophoenix on the other hand. Endosperm homogenous or ruminate.
The genus was revised by Essig (1978) who used characters such
as endosperm rumination, fruit color, shape and distribution of leaflets, inflorescence architecture and fmit morphology to distinguish
between the different species.
Distribution in PNG: The estimated about 15-20 species in the
genus are widespread in all provinces from sea level to 2000 m.
Global distribution: Probably more than 30 species native mainly
to New Guinea but also found in adjacent Moluccas in the west, the
Solomon Islands and the Carolines in the east and extending into
northern Australia in the south.
Ecology: Occurring in a wide range of habitats such as fresh-water
swamps, limestone rock and coastal forest.
45
Palm genera in PNG
Status: A relatively well collected genus that needs revisional attention since considerable confusion exists as to the identity of the many
speCIes.
Uses: Wood used for bows, arrow-heads, and spears (Essig 1978).
The Macarthur palm (P macarthurii) is widely cultivated for its
ornamental value in PNG and elsewhere.
Ptychococcus (Fig. 46.C)
Diagnostic features: Solitary palm tree, leafsheath tubular forming a crownshaft, petiole short, leaflets varying from wedgeshaped
and obliquely praemorse apically (P paradoxus) to lanceolate and
somewhat pointed apically (P lepidolus), prophyll and peduncular
bract similar in size and texture, rachillae with triads throughout,
stamens numerous (up to 100) inserted on a flat receptacle, filament
shorter than anther, fruits large (usually more than 4 cm) with a thick
endocarp, deeply grooved in five ridges, endosperm with mixed shallow and deep ruminations. No recent treatment of the genus exists.
Distribution in PNG: Three or four species are widespread in
most ofPNG, although often rare locally.
Global distribution: Seven species have been described, six from
New Guinea and one from the Solomon Islands.
Ecology: Usually scattered in rainforest from sea level to about 2000
m (P. lepidotus).
Status: Poorly known group. More collections needed.
Uses: P lepidotus is used in the highlands for making bows and
arrows (Ferrero 1996).
46
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 46. Ptychosperma and Ptychococcus. A. Ptychosperma sp.
Inflorescence in various developmental stages. B. Ptychosperma sp.
Infructescence. Note the two-pronged leaflets ofthis species C. Ptychococcus paradoxus. D. Ptychosperma sp. Buds (bright red).
47
Palm genera in PNG
Brassiophoenix (Fig. 47)
Diagnostic features: Small, solitary trees, leafsheath tubular forming
a crownshaft, petiole short, leaflets three-lobed (three-pronged), the
mid lobe being longer than the lateral lobes, peduncular bract about
twice as long as prophyll, rachillae with triads throughout, stamens
numerous (usually more than 100), filament longer than anther inserted on a conical receptacle, fruits large (usually more than 4 cm) with
a thick endocarp, deeply grooved in five to nine ridges or lobes, endosperm homogeneous. Essig (1975) produced a synopsis in which he
distinguish between two species using colour of the mature fruit and
hair covering of the inflorescences. Zona and Essig (1999) concludes that fruit colour may not differ and cite endocarp lobing as a reliable distinguishing character. The nine-lobed condition is apparently
derived from the five-lobed by additional shallow furrows developing along four of the five lobes.
Distribution in PNG: Two species. Brassiophoenix drymophloides
defined by a 5-lobed endocarp occurs in the Madang, East Sepik and
Sandaun Provinces. Brassiophoenix schun1annii has a nine-lobed
endocarp and occurs the Gulf, Central and Northern Provinces.
Global distribution: Only recorded from PNG but expected to occur
in Irian Jaya across the border from Vanimo.
Ecology: Widespread in lowland forest on various soil types, mostly
found below 200 m.
Status: Observations in the field on endocarp lobing would facilitate a critical evaluation of the importance of this character. Such
observations should always be recorded on the label of a reference
specimen.
Uses: A handsome ornamental for tropical gardens.
48
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 47. Brassiophoenix schumannii. A. Habit. B. Male flower. Notice
the numerous stamens.
49
Palm genera in PNG
Gronophyllum (incl. Nengella) (Fig. 48.A-B)
Diagnostic features: Variable in habit and leaf morphology. Clustering or solitary, small treelet (G. p inango ides) to tall tree (G. chaunostachys), always with well-defined crownshaft, usually covered with
hair and sometimes with tongue shaped projections (ligules) at the
top. Leaflets entire (G. cariosum) to divided in numerous leaflets,
these regularly distributed to grouped, linear to wedgeshaped, oneto several-folded, praemorse to apically acute, transverse veinlets
often conspicuous (?). Inflorescences sheathed in bud by two similar
bracts, a briefly beaked prophyll and a peduncular bract. The infrafoliar inflorescence usually has a short peduncle and rachis and pendulous rachiUae at anthesis (,horse tail'). There seems to be a strong
case for merging Gronophyllum and Gulubia into Hydriastele as
suggested by Uhl & Dransfield (1987). Gronophyllum might differ
from Hydriastele and Gulubia by being protandrous (Essig 1982),
but more observations in the field are needed before a conclusion
can be reached. Essig and Young (1985) produced a tentative key to
the species of Gronophyllum emphasizing characters such as habit
(stem clustering or solitary, large or small), arrangement of leaflets,
number of rachillae per inflorescence, shape of rachillae (flexuous ot
not so), and endosperm rumination.
Distribution in PNG: 10-15 species are found throughout PNG,
often quite scattered locally.
Global distribution: About 30 species from Sulawesi in the west to
PNG and the Bismarck Archipelago. One species occurs in northern
Australia.
Ecology: In rainforest on various soil types, from sea level to about
2000 m.
Status: More coUections especially of Gronophyllum and Gulubia
are needed to work out the generic delimitations in the subtribe Arecmae.
50
Palm genera in PNG
Uses: The sclerified peripheral layers of the stem are used for boards
in house construction.
Fig. 48. Gronophyllum and Hydriastele. A. Gronophyllum chaunostachys Habit. B. Gronophyllum cariosum. Notice the small size and
entire leaflets ofthis species growing near the border with Irian Jaya.
C. Hydriastele sp. Inflorescence in bud.
51
Palm genera in PNG
Hydriastele (Fig. 48.C)
Diagnostic features: Clustered, small to moderate palm trees, with
crownshaft. Leaves relatively short (as compared to Gulubia), leaflets regularly arranged to grouped, usually multi-folded, often with
praemorse tips, transverse veinlets obscure. Prophyll beaked apically,
similar to the peduncular bract. Peduncle and rachis usually short.
Rachillae drooping at anthesis, bearing protogynous triads throughout their length. The pistillate flowers are smaller than the staminate flowers. A satellite genus to Gronophyllum that probably should
be merged with this (see notes under Gronophyllum). No recent treatment of the genus exists.
Distribution in PNG: Two to three species widely distributed in the
lowlands.
Global distribution: About eight species occurring in New Guinea
including the Bismarck Archipelago and northern Australia.
Ecology: Occurs in rainforest from sealevel to about 1500 m. Essig
(1973) studied the pollination of Hydriastele microspadix. The insect
visitors belonged to three major groups: bees, drysophilid flies (fruit
flies) and curculionid beetles (weevils).
Uses: Stems used for building temporary shelters when working or
travelling in the forest.
Gulubia (Fig. 49)
Diagnostic features: Solitary palm trees, with crownshaft. Leaves
large, petiole short, leaflets regularly arranged, pendulous or spreading, single-fold with acute or irregularly lobed apices, transverse
veinlets obscure. Prophyll rounded at the tip. Inflorescence protogynous, infrafoliar, usually with a short peduncle and rachis, rachiUae
pendulous at anthesis (,horse tail'). A satellite genus to Gronophyllum that should probably be merged with this (see notes under Gronophyllum). Essig (1982) revised the genus and described the struc52
Palm genera in PNO
ture ofthe fleshy parts of the fruit (pericarp). Characters such as leaflet position (pendulous or spreading), curvature of the rachis, stamen
number and fruit size are used in the key to the species.
Distribution in PNG: Probably no more than three species of Oulubia occurs in PNG. Oulubia costata is ubiquitous in the lowlands
where it is a conspicuous and easily recognisable palm due to its
elegantly pendulous pinnae and horsetail shaped inflorescence.
Fig. 49. Oulubia. A. O. costata. Notice the pendent leaflets and the
horsetail like appearance of the inflorescence. B. o. valida. Notice
the curved leaf rachis.
53
Palm genera in PNG
Global distribution: 8-10 species distributed from the Moluccas in
the west across PNG to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji in the
east and extending southward to the Cape York Peninsula of Australia.
Ecology: Canopy trees in the rainforest from sealevel to about 1000
m. Often left in clearings due to their hard wood.
Status: For a group comprising only large tree palms it is relatively
well collected but more collections would be useful to solve the
generic delimitation problems in subtribe Arecinae mentioned under
Gronophyllum.
Uses: The hard peripheral layer of the stem is used for timber and
boards in houses and for making tools. The old infructescences are
frequently used as brooms in households.
Pinanga (Fig. SO.A,C)
Diagnostic features: Solitary palm tree, with green upper internodes. Leafsheath tubular fonning a crownshaft, covered with rust
coloured hairs often arranged in stripes. The leaves are pinnate with
leaflets more or less evenly distributed, 2- to several-folded, the basal
and mid ones acuminate, the distal ones several-lobed. Inflorescence
with a single deciduous bract. Peduncle ca 10 cm long. Rachis ca
50 cm long. Rachillae divaricate (not drooping) at the opening of
the flowers (anthesis), bearing protogynous triads that are distributed
throughout. The female flowers are smaller than the male flowers.
Infructescence with yellow branches and rachillae, fruits changing
colour through stages of maturation from yellow to pinkish yellow,
to red and ultimately to black.
Distribution in PNG: A single species in PNG, P. punicea. Only
recorded in the Sandaun and Western Provinces.
Global distribution: About 120 species, widely distributed in tropical SE Asia including the Himalayas and south China.
Ecology: Lowland rainforest.
54
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. SO. Pinanga and Areca. A. Pinanga punicea. Habit. B. Areca
sp. C. Pinanga sp. Cultivated in Thailand. Notice the protogynous
inflorescence. The female flowers are receptive while the male flowers are still in bud. D. Areca cf macrocalyx. The green fruits are
inserted at the base of the wiltered side branches of the inflorescence
(rachillae) .
55
Palm genera in PNG
Uses: No uses recorded. Potential as an ornamental.
Areca (Fig. SO.B)
Diagnostic features: Understorey palms or moderate sized palm
trees, solitary to clustering, with crownshaft. Leaves with or without
petiole, variable even within the same population, the leaflets being
from unevenly wide and many-folded to evenly distributed and onefolded. Leaflet tips from acute to many-lobed. Rachis longer than the
peduncle. The pistillate flowers are much larger than staminate ones
and only found near the base of the flower-bearing branches (rachillae). Infructescence with fruits borne at the basis of the withered,
pendent rachilla branches. Endosperm ruminate. A recent revision of
the genus does not exist.
Distribution in PNG: 7-8 species widely distributed in all PNG proVinces.
Global distribution:
About 60 species distributed from India and
South China through Malesia to Solomon IsIs. in the east.
Ecology: Lowland rainforest and submontane rain forest up to 2000
m.
Uses: Areca catechu is economically very important at all economic
levels in PNG as the main source of betel nut.
Heterospathe (syn. Ptychandra) (Fig. Sl.A-B)
Diagnostic features: Variable in habit from acaulescent plants to
tall trees reaching the canopy. Leaf sheath tubular, but splitting
deeply and not fonning a distinct crownshaft (Fig. 5). Leaflets singlefold, apically acute to acuminate. Inflorescence inserted amongst
the leaves (interfoliar), prophyll persistent, peduncular bract usually
widely separated from prophyll (in contrast to Gronophyllum, Hydriastele and Gulubia), beaked, shed or more or less disintegrated at
anthesis, peduncle very long, inflorescence branched to 1-4 orders,
female flowers distributed throughout most of the rachillae, eventually only absent from the tips, about the same size as the male flo56
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 51. Heterospathe and Sommieria. A. Heterospathe humilis.
Notice the trunkless habit. B. Heterospathe cf muelleriana. Inflorescence (red at this stage). C-D. Sommieria afjinis. C. Habit. D.
Young fruit. At this stage the fruit is gradually turning pink and the
skin (epicarp) is breaking up.
57
Palm genera in PNG
wers. Endospenn ruminate. Moore (1969a) published a number of
new species and combinations. Although he did not provide a key,
he emphasized features such as habit (with or without a stem), haircovering of the rachillae, number of stamens and fruit size as distinguishing characters.
Distribution in PNG: 15-20 species occuring in all provinces but
often rather rare locally.
Global distribution: About 30 species widespread along the western
fringe of the Pacific from the Philippines, through eastern Indonesia
(not yet recorded from Borneo) and New Guinea to Fiji and Vanuatu
in the east.
Ecology: Distributed in lowland and montane rainforest up to 2500
m.
Status: In need of a revision. Collections should be given high priority.
Uses: Cabbage edible.
Sommieria (Fig. Sl.B-C)
Diagnostic features: A solitary understorey palm, without crownshaft. Particularly characteristic for this genus is the almost undivided elongate leaf blade that is whitish underneath. The inflorescence
is erect with a long peduncle. Like in Linospadix albertisiana, the
peduncular bract is inserted at the distal end ofthe peduncle and the
triads are sunken within pits. Unlike in Linospadix, the peduncular
bract is not shed before anthesis and the inflorescence is branched
to the first order. Fruits are small, with basal stigmatic remains. The
fruit skin of the mature fruits (epicarp) is pinkish and cracking up in
corky warts. The endospenn is homogeneous.
Distribution in PNG: A single species S. afjinis is distributed along
the border with Irian Jaya in the Sandaun Province. Locally quite
common.
58
Palm genera in PNG
Global distribution: Three species endemic to New Guinea.
Ecology: S. afjinis grows in deep shade in lowland rain forest, in
periodically water logged soils.
Uses: None recorded.
Clinostigma
Diagnostic features: Solitary palm tree supported by cone of up
to 4 cm wide stilt roots. Leafsheaths tubular forming a crownshaft,
petiole 60-70 cm long, leaflets numerous, regularly alTanged, pendulous. Inflorescence inserted below the crown (infrafoliar), branched
to third order. Prophyll completely encircling peduncle (in contrast
to Physokentia), peduncular bract beaked, both deciduous. Rachis
longer than the peduncle. Floral triads nearly throughout the rachillae, male flowers with asymmetrical base, stamens six. Fruit scarlet
red at maturity, stigmatic remains borne on short subapical beak.
Endocarp thin, rounded (not sculptured as in Physokentia). Endospenn homogeneous.
Distribution in PNG: One species, C. collegarum, occurs in New
Ireland only (Dransfield 1982)
Global distribution: 12-14 species distributed in an arc through the
western Pacific from the Bonin and Caroline Islands to Vanuatu and
Samoa.
Ecology: Growing in dense montane forest.
Status: The single species in PNG is only known from the type collection from 1975.
Uses: None recorded.
59
Palm genera in PNG
Rhopaloblaste (Fig. S2.A-B)
Diagnostic features: Solitary trees. Leafsheaths tubular fonning a
crownshaft. Sheath, and lower surface of petiole and rachis covered
by scales. Leaflets numerous, regularly distributed, spreading or pendulous. Inflorescence branches and rachillae sinuously twisted in
bud (like intestines). Peduncle 5-1 a cm long, rachis much longer,
both hairy in young stages. Basal first order branches not as thick
as main axis (rachis), rounded, often subtended by prominant bracts.
Prophyll covered by hairs on the inner (adaxial) surface, deciduous.
Floral triads throughout the rachillae. Staminate flowers symmetrical. Fruit rounded to ovate, 2-4 cm long, ripening red, stigmatic
remains apical, seed with impressed hilum and branching (anastomosing) venation pattern, endospenn ruminate. Sometimes difficult
to distinguish from Cyrtostachys from a distance (see comments
under this genus). Rhopaloblaste was revised by Moore (1970) who
did not have access to specimens of any of the PNG species R. ledermanniana and R. dyscrita. The key to species put emphasis on characters such as habit (clustering, solitary), pinnae orientation (pendulous or spreading), shape of the bracts subtending triads, and fruit
shape and size.
Distribution in PNG: Three species have been described from New
Guinea.
Global distribution: About six species in the Nicobar Islands, Malay
Peninsular, the Moluccas, New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
Ecology: The few existing collections are all from below 1000 m.
Status: In need of revision. All collections relevant.
Uses: The sclereified peripheral layers of the stem are used for floor
boards in some pal1s ofPNG. Great potential as ornamental palm.
60
Palm genera in PNG
Fig. 52. Rhopaloblaste and Actinorhytis. A-B. Rhopaloblaste sp.
A. Habit. B. Male inflorescence developing inside sheathing bracts
(left) and inflorescence before anthesis (right) . C. Actinorhytis calapparia sp. Cross section through seed. Notice the ruminations of
the seed coat.
61
Palm genera in PNG
Actinorhytis (Fig. S2.C)
Diagnostic features: Solitary tree palm with well defined crownshaft covered by rust-coloured scales. Leaves with short petiole and
strongly curved rachis. Leaflets numerous, regularly distributed, apically acute. Inflorescence protandrous, branched to third order, branching divaricate, peduncle short, prophyll and peduncular bracts
similar, closely inserted, deciduous, first order branches few, proximal portions bare. Rachillae stiff, with triads on the lower portion
only and male flowers in pairs or solitary distally. Male flowers with
numerous stamens (24-33). Female flower much larger than male
flowers at anthesis. Fruits more than 4 cm long, endosperm with
spectacular rumination. Easily recognised even from a distance by
the downward curved leaf rachis, and the divaricate branching of the
inflorescence.
Distribution in PNG: Only Actinorhytis calapparia occurs in
PNG.
Global distribution: Two species distributed in Solomon Isis. and
PNG.
Ecology: Lowland rainforest up to 1000 m.
Status: A poorly collected but well defined species. More documentation for variation is needed, however.
Uses: Cultivated as an ornamental throughout tropical Asia. In Finchhafen, the seed is chewed as a betel nut substitute.
Physokel1tia
Diagnostic features: Solitary, usually medium-sized trees with prominently developed stilt roots to 2.5 m long. Crownshaft and petiole
with dense hair covering (floccose-Iepidote), leaflets regularly arranged, apically acute. Inflorescence with 5-1 a cm long peduncle. Prophyll incompletely encircling the peduncle in bud, peduncular bract
beaked, both deciduous. Branched to third order. Rachis longer than
the peduncle. Rachillae with floral triads usually in the proximal
62
Palm genera in PNG
portion only. Staminate flowers with asymmetrical base, stamens
six, with broad filaments. Fruit globose, black at maturity, stigmatic
remains subapical. Endocarp thin, variously angled and sculptured.
Endosperm ruminate. Moore (1969b) produced a synopsis of the
genus. The only representative of the genus present in PNG was
published later based on regularly pinnate leaves, lack of scales
(ramenta) on the midrib and black rather than red fruits (Moore
1977).
Distribution
in PNG: Only one species, Physokentia avia has been
recorded from the East New Britain Province.
Global distribution: Seven species in the Fiji Islands, Vanuatu,
Solomon Islands, and New Britain (Uhl and Dransfield 1987).
Ecology: Undergrowth of Nothofagus dominated, montane forest.
Status: Very few collections exist of this species. More documentation for the variation is needed.
Uses: None recorded.
Cocos
Diagnostic features: Widely cultivated palm. Cultivars vary in size
from tall to dwarf. For the newcomer to PNG and the tropics this
species is easily distinguished by the lack of crownshaft, fibrous lefsheaths, twisted leaf rachis with leaflets in upright (vertical) position, woody peduncular bract. roofing the inflorescence, at anthesis,
rachillae with triads only in the very proximal portions, female flowers much larger than male ones, large fruit (> 15 cm), often angled
and green to yellow at maturity, thick and woody endocarp with
three germination pores, and homogeneous endospenn.
Distribution in PNG: One species Cocos nucifera is widely cultivated in the lowlands.
Global distribution: Pantropical.
Ecology: Sandy soils near the coast but also found inland on other
63
Palm genera in PNG
types of well drained soils.
Status: Very few collections of coconut exist in herbaria worldwide
which is strange considering the economic importance of this palm.
Uses: Cultivated mainly for its fruits but many other parts of the
palm are useful too. Leaves are used for weawing baskets and mats.
In some places, such as in Tami Island and Malasiga village, the
trade with baskets constitute the most important source of income.
The endocarp (shell of the 'coconut') is split in half and used for
spoons and drinking bowls. The fibrous leafsheaths are often used as
a filter in sago mills.
64
How to collect a palm
HOW TO COLLECT A PALM
.
..
The collecting of palms for herbanum speCImens IS hard work
and the difficulties of the task normally increase with the size of the
palm. Thus a collection of Licuala
montana may be as easy as collec-
I
Tab. 3. Tools required to
co II
ect pa Ims
Bush knife
Pruning saw
Axe
Leather gloves
Knife
Secateurs
Notebook
Pencil or ball pen
Map for exact location of
collection site (subsidiary
a GPS unit)
Rope
ting a grass since most of the information will be preserved on the
voucher specimen so that lengthy
notes are superfluous.
Quite in
contrast is the collection of massive
palms such as Metroxylon sagu,
Corypha utan and Pigafetta filaris
which involves hard physical work
and skills with axe, bushknife, saw
and secateurs. It is a very good idea to wear gloves of a suffciently
sturdy quality.
When a palm individual is prepared for a herbarium sheet
in the field it is done according to two basic principles. Firstly,
in the case that a given structure is to big to fit a herbarium sheet
(equals more or less a folded newspaper sheet) it must be sampled.
Collect only a tip, a mid piece and a base (Fig. 53). This applies to
both leaves, inflorescences, and infructescences (and parts of these).
Secondly, bulky parts should be cut up in order to facilitate drying
and to assure that the specimen does not take up unnecessary storage
space. Some fruits should also be cut up since several important
character for identification may be revealed this way e.g fulTOWSof
the endocarp and ruminations of the endospenn. It is a very good
idea to label the different parts collected individually using stringed
paper tags.
65
How to collect a palm
Not all palms are sampled in thesame way. The palmate leaf of
members of the subfamily Coryphoideae should be cut up according to the scheme shown in Fig.
53. Sometimes it is only possible
to press the central part ofthe leaf
showing the hastula and representive folds (base, mid, tip).
Fig. 53. How to cut up a
palm! The shaded areas represent material that is discarded
Since inflorescences in Livistona
and Licuala are composed of a
number of partial inflorescences
that gradually become smaller
towards the tip it is sufficient to
collect the basal one only. The
lianalike members of the subfamily Calamoideae should be
given special treatment. In cirrate species, the whip like extension of the midrib of the leaf
should be included midpiece of
the leaflet-bearing part ofthe midrib. It is very important also to collect an entire leaf base possibly with the petiole attached. The inflorescence should be dissected in a tip, a midpiece and a base in the
case it is very long. The attachment of the inflorescence or flagellum to the leafsheath should ideally be represented on the collection.
In certain cases it is neccessary to use a pruning saw to cut through
the stem below and above the leafsheath. Since the overall structure of the inflorescence is similar to that of the Coryphoideae the
same sampling technique can be applied.
66
Collection of members
How to collect a palm
of the subfamily Arecoideae is usually uncomplicated. There is no
need to sample the entire leafsheath which often forms a massive
crownshaft, as long as the dimensions, shape, colour, hair covering
and splitting is carefully noted. Bring only the upper part of the
leafsheath to show the margins along the split and the transition into
the petiole.
It is tempting to raise the number of duplicates by collecting
material from several members of assumably a single population of
the same species. However, the general principle is: one collection
- one individual. To cover the variation in a population it is better to
prepare a number of collections instead. The same principle applies
to cases where complete material can only be obtained by collecting from several individuals.
The importance of the label is ignored by many palm collectors. As a rule of thumb, notes should be taken on all aspects of
the palm that are lost during preparation, especially size, numbers
and colour (Fig. 54). In modem herbaria, label infonnation is often
managed in computer based information systems that makes it possible e.g. to map distribution ranges. This requires, however, that
the data on the locality where the palm was collected are precise.
Lengthy notes on how to get to the exact place of collection from the
nearest village are not so helpful. Determination of longitudes and
latitudes is the most efficient way to indicate position. For this purpose a topographic map of the can be used but remember to indicate
the scale of the map.
The ideal label does not exist. We can only try to make the description as complete as possible under the given circumstances. There
is no end to the kind of information that can be included but time
constraints will dictate the final outcome as shown on fig. 54.
67
How to collect a palm
Fig. 54. An example of a herbarium label that is mounted on
the herbarium sheet along with the various parts collected from the
palm.
FLORA OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Anders S. Barfod
with Roy Banka and Anders Kjaer
43
Arecaceae
Actinorhytis
calapparia H. Wendt. & Drude
Province: MOROBE
Finchhaven subdistrict. Village of Javewang.
1470 50' E; 60 30' S (from 1:2,450,000
25.10.1999
map).
Alt.ca. 50
m
Solitary palm about 20 m tall. Stem diam. about 30 cm. Upper leaf
scars brown, 1-4 cm wide, upper internodes green, 5-7 cm long. Leaves
in crown 10-11. Leafsheath tubular forming a green, glabrous 210
cm long crownshaft, splitting cleanly distally with brown chartaceous
margin. Petiole 46 cm long. Rachis 430 cm long. Leaflets 2x 109,
evenly spaced. CS of petiole below basal leaflets 7x4 cm. Two infmctescences with green fmits collected. Mainly branched to 2'nd order
with one or two 3 'rd order branches being present in basal parts of the
inflorescence. Number of scars from deciduous prophyll and PD bract
2. Peduncle 7 cm long, woody. Rachis 90 cm long telminating in
fmit bearing rachilla. Number of primary branches about 40. Length
of basal primary branches 65-95 cm, with 18-22 secondary branches.
Length of basal secondary branches (rachillae) 40-50 cm. Green fmits
ovoid, about 50x35 mm in average. Endospern1 with dense red colouring from mminations of the seed coat.
Dept. of Systematic Botany, Aarhus University, Denmark (AAU), in collaboration
with Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute, Lae, Papua New Guinea (LAE)
and the Queensland Herbarium, Brisbane, Australia (BRl). Field workfunded by
the Carlsberg Foundation, Denmark.
68
How to collect a palm
Pickled material and box collections
As a general rule of thumb, box collections should be avoided since
they are very inconvenient to store. They are often kept apart and
overlooked when material is send on loan. Bulky parts of the palm
should be cut up at the site of collection for which purpose a pruning
saw often comes in handy. Material of flowers and fruits pickled
in 70% alcohol is often of great value for the palm expert and the
illustrator.
Research pennit
Before you start to collect palms you must obtain a research pennit.
To do so you will need to affiliate with a local research institution
that can recommend the collection activities planned. Research permits are nonnally only granted to professional botanists and horticulturists. Collecting without a pennit is not only illegal, furthermore you will not be able to provide the documents necessary for
export of your specimens.
Photos.
A good photograph constitutes invaluable additional documentation
for a reference collection especially in the case of palm trees where
the habit of the palm is lost in the preparation and it is very difficult to describe the overall appearance of the palm. A few things
should be remembered, however. First of all try to photograph only
the individual collected and do it before the palm is felled. If photographing another individual assumed to belong to the same species
then indicate this clearly when the photograph is mounted in the
herbarium. A reference on how to photograph palms can be found
in Forster (1968).
69
LIST OF REFERENCES
(the titles present in the Herbarium
Library, Forest Research Insti-
tute PNG, Lae are asterisked)
*Dransfield, J. 1982. Clinostigma in New Ireland.
- Principes
26:73-76.
*Essig, F. B. 1973. Pollination
Principes
in some New Guinean palms. -
17:75-83.
*Essig, F. B. 1975. Brassophoenix schummannii (Palmae). - Principes 19: 100-103.
*Essig, F. B. 1977. A preliminary
analysis of the palm flora of
New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago.
-Papua new Guinea
botany Bulletin No.9.
*Essig, F. B. 1978. A revision of the genus Ptychosperma Labill.
(Arecaceae)
-Allertonia
1:415-478.
Essig, F. B. 1980. The genus Orania Zipp. (Arecaceae)
in new
Guinea. - Lyonia 1(5):213-233.
Essig, F. B. 1982. A synopsis of the Genus Gulubia. - Principes
26(4):159-173.
Essig, F. B. & Young B. E. 1985. A Reconsideration of Gronophyllum and Nengella (Arecoideae). - Principes 29(3): 129-137.
Ferrero, M. 1996. Ptychococcus lepidotus: In from the cold? A
promising
palm from the highlands
of New Guinea. - Palms &
Cycads 52 and 53:48-53.
Ferrero, M. 1997. A Checklist of Pal mae for New Guinea. - Palms
& Cycads 55 and 56:2-39.
Forster, K. 1968. Palm Photography. - Principes 12: 136-141.
*Hay,A. J. M. 1984.3. Palmae pp. 195-318 in R. J. Johns and A.
J. M.Hay (eds.).
A Guide to the monocotyledons
Guinea. - Dept. of Forestry, P.N.G. University
Lae.
70
of Papua New
of Technology,
*Jones, D. 1996. Palms in Australia (3. ed.). - Reeds Books, New
South Wales.
*Moore, H. E. Jr. 1969a. New Palms from the Pacific, III. Principes 13:99-108.
*Moore, H. E. Jr. 1969b. A Synopsis of the Genus Physokentia
(Palmae-Arecoideae). - Principes 13: 120-136.
Moore, H. E. Jr. 1970. The genus Rhopaloblaste (Palmae). - Principes 14(3):75-92
Moore, H. E. Jr. 1977. New Palms form the Pacific, IV. -Principes
21(2):86.
Tomlinson, P. B. & Soderholm, P. K. 1975. The flowering and fruiting of Corypha elata in South Florida. - Principes 19(3):83-99.
*Uhl, N. W & Dransfield, J. 1987. Genera Palmarum. - Allen
Press, Lawrence, Kansas.
*Zona, S. 1999. Revision of Drymophloeus (Arecaceae: Arecoideae). - Blumea 44: 1-24.
Zona, S. & Essig, F. B. 1999. How many species of Brassiophoenix? - Palms 43(1):45-48
71
Index to scientific names
Gronophyllum pinangoides
(Becc.) Essig & Young, 50
Actinorhytis calapparia H.
Wend I. & Drude, 4, 61, 62, 68
Areca catechu L., 56
Areca macrocalyx Zipp. ex
Blume, 55
Arenga microcarpa Becc., 35, 36
Borassus heineana Becc., 27, 28
Brassiophoenix drymophloides
Burret,48
Brassiophoenix schumannii
Burret, 48, 49, 70
Calyptrocalyx albertisianus
Becc., 42, 44
Gulubia costata Becc., 5, 53
Gulubia valida Essig, 53
Heterospathe humilis Becc., 57
Heterospathe muelleriana
(Becc.) Becc., 57
Hydriastele microspadix (Becc.)
Burret,52
Korthalsia zippeJii Blume, 30,
32
Licuala beccariana BUlTet,4,
22,23
Calyptrocalyx hollrungii (Becc.)
Dowe & FelTero, 42, 44
Caryota albertii F. Muell. ex H.
Wend!., 37
Licuala crassiflora Barfod in
ed.,24
Licuala lauterbachii Damm. &
K. Schum., 22
Caryota rumphiana Mart., 37
var. papuana Becc., 37
Clinostigma collegarum J.
Dransf,59
Licuala longispadix Barfod &
Banka in ed., 24
Licuala montana Damm. &
Lauterb., 23
Licuala parviflora Damm. ex
Becc.,24
Licuala ramosa (Lauterb. & K.
Schum.) Becc., 23
Licuala simplex (Lauterb. & K.
Schum.) Becc., 23
Licuala tanycola H.E. Moore, 23
Linospadix albertisiana (Becc.)
Burret, 42, 44, 58
Cocos nucifera L., 63
Corypha elata Roxb., 7, 71
Corypha utan Lam., 7, 25, 28,65
Drymophloeus hentyi (Essig)
Zona, 43
Gronophyllum cariosum Dowe
& Ferrero, 50, 51
Gronophyllum chaunostachys
(Burret) H.E. Moore, 4, 50, 51
72
(Giseke) Becc.,
Livistona benthamii P.M. Bailey,
Pigafettafilaris
23
Livistona muelleri P.M. Bailey,
32,33,65
Pinanga punicea Merrill, 54, 55
Ptychococcus lepidotus H.E.
Moore, 46, 70
Ptychococcus paradoxus Becc.,
23
Livistona papuana Becc., 26
Livistona surru Dowe & Barfod
in ed., 26
Livistona tothur Dowe & Barfod
in ed., 26
Metroxylon sagu Rottb., 7, 29,
32,35,65
Nypa fruticans Wunnb., 34, 35
Orania distich a BUlTet,38
Orania lauterbachiana Becc., 38
Physokentia avia H.E. Moore,
63
46,47
Ptychosperma hentyi Essig, 43
Ptychosperma macarthurii H.
Wendl.,46
Rhopaloblaste ceramica Burret,
5
Rhopaloblaste dyscrUa H.E.
Moore, 60
Rhopaloblaste ledermanniana
Becc.,60
Sommieria afjinis Becc., 57, 58,
59
73
Palms cultivated in the National
Botanic Garden, Lae
Prepared by Roy Banka
Hydriastele microspadix
Licuala lauterbachii
Licuala grandis
Licuala spinosa
Linospadix albertisiana
Livistona chinensis
Livistona mariae
Metroxylon solomonense
Metroxylon sagu
Nenga pumila
Orania lauterbachii
Orania macropetala
Orania disticha
Pigafetta filaris
Pinanga coronata
Pinanga punicea
Ptychococcus lepidotus
Ptychococcus paradoxus
Ptychosperma sp.
Ptychosperma microcarpum
Ptychosperma lauterbachii
Ptychosperma schefferi
Ptychosperma robustum
Rhopaloblaste ceramica
Rhopaloblaste elegans
Sabal blackburniana
Sommieria afjinis
Actinorhytis calapparia
Areca triandra
Areca multifida
Areca macrocalyx
Areca guppyana
Areca catechu
Arenga microcarpum
Arenga obtusifolia
Arenga pinnata
Borassus heineana
Brassiophoenix schumannii
Calamus hollrungii
Calyptrocalyx albertisianus
Calyptrocalyx stenochista
Calyptrocalyx hollrungii
Caryota mitis
Caryota rumphiana
Caryota urens
Cocos nucifera
Cyrtostachys renda
Cyrtostachys glauca
Cyrtostachys sp.
Drymophloides hentyi
Gronophyllum pinangoides
Gulubia costata
Heterospathe sp.
Heterospathe humilis
Hydriastele sp.
74
GLOSSARY
Acrogynous - with female flowers at the tip. As opposed to basigynous.
Adventitious roots - roots that are produced at the basal nodes of the
stem. They take over root function already in the seedling stage and
form a characteristic basal cone in mature palms.
Anthesis - male phase of flowering when the flowers release their
pollen grains. Used for individual flowers, inflorescences, individual
palms and palm populations. Often used in a broader sense which
includes the female phase of flowering as well. In this case, distinction is made between 'pistillate anthesis' and 'staminate anthesis'.
Basigynous - with female flowers basally. As opposed to acrogynous.
Basipetal flowering - Flowering progresses from the tip of the stem
towards the base which is opposite the sequence of formation of the
inflorescences (first formed at the base, last fonned at the tip).
Cincinnus (pi: cincinni ) - sympodial cluster of closely aggregated
flowers.
Cirrus, cirrate - armed whiplike extension of the midrib ofthe leaf in
the subfamily Calamoideae.
Crownshaft - a conspicuous cylinder formed below the crown by closely inserted tubular leatbases of consecutive order. The immature
tissues including the apical meristem is often extracted from the core
of the crownshaft and eaten as cabbage. Palms with a crownshaft
often produce infrafoliar inflorescences that are exposed when the
subtending leaf is shed.
Costa - midrib of a leaf.
Dimorphic - with two different shapes.
Dioecious - male and female flowers borne on separate palm individuals.
Dyads - flowers gathered in pairs.
Endocarp - inner stony, layer of the fruit wall which surrounds the
seed. The shell of the coconut is morphologically speaking an endocarp.
Endosperm - the storage body of the seed. Often liquid in young fruits
and fleshy to bone hard at maturity of the fruit.
75
Epicarp - fruit skin.
Flagellum, flagellate -anned whiplike structure derived from inflorscences in the subfamily Calamoideae.
Hapaxanthic palms - palms that finish a long vegetative adult phase
by flowering and dying.
Hastula - a flap of tissue situated in the center of the palmate lamina
Hermaphroditic - both male and female function represented in one
flower.
Homogeneous endosperm - endosperm that is unifonn without infolding of the seed testa. As opposed to ruminate endospenn.
Induplicate - used to distinguish the folds of the lamina when these
are oriented like a V. As opposed to reduplicate.
Infrafoliar - inserted below the crown. Typical of palms with crownshafts.
Interfoliar - inflorescences inserted inserted amongst the leaves in the
crown. Typical of palms without a crownshaft.
Lamina - the blade of the leaf as opposed to the leaf base and petiole.
Leaflet - used for leaf divisions of the first or rarely the second order
(Caryota) in the pinnate leaves.
Leafsheath - used for the leaf base typically, when referring to
external features such as annature, mode of splitting, haircovering
etc.
Mesocarp - usually fleshy tissue between the stone (endocarp) and the
fruit skin (epicarp).
Monoecious - male and female flowers borne on the same palm.
Monotypic - taxonomic group with only one member.
Palmate - leaves where the major veins converge into a point or a
short costa.
Partial inflorescence - used for first order branches in inflorescences
where these are clearly separated by tubular rachis bracts such as in
Dcttala and members of the subfamily Calamoideae.
Pedicel - flower bearing stalk.
Peduncle - basal unbranched part of the inflorescence.
Peduncular bract - bracts on the peduncle that are not subtending a
lateral axis (empty). Often abbreviated as PD bract.
Petiole - leaf stalk.
76
Pinnae (sing. Pinna)- same as leaflets.
Pinnate - used for leaves in which the pinnae arise along the sides of
an extended rachis like in a feather.
Praemorse - with irregularly, jagged margin.
Pleonanthic palms - palms that produces inflorescences continuously
throughout their adult stages. As opposed to hapaxanthic.
Prophyll - the first bract borne near the basis of the inflorescence.
Typically with two longitudinal ridges (carinae, bicarinate).
Prostrate - lying flat on, or immidiately below substrate.
Protandrous - male function expressed before female function. Used
for individual flowers or inflorescences. As opposed to protogynous.
Protogynous - female function expressed before male function. Used
for individual flowers or inflorescences. As opposed to protandrous.
Rachilla (pi: rachillae)- flower bearing branch(es) of an inflorescence.
Rachis - main axis in a leaf or an inflorescence.
Receptacle - the central axis in the flower on which sepals, petals,
anthers and carpels are inserted.
Reduplicate - used to distinguish the folds of the lamina when these
are oriented like a reverse V. As opposed to induplicate.
Ruminate endosperm - endospern1 that is striated by infolding of the
seed testa. As oppposed to homogeneous endosperm.
Seed testa - coating around the seed. Usually brown, thin and parchment like. In Papua New Guinea the seed testa is fleshy (sarcotesta)
in Metroxylon and Calamus.
Stigma - usually sticky tissue on which pollen grains germinate.
Style - extended apical part of the carpels bearing the stigma.
Subtending leaf - leaf in the axil of which an inflorescence or lateral
branch is inserted.
Suprafoliar - the subtending leaves of the inflorescences are reduced
whereby these appear as a single unit elevated above the crown.
Sympodial- mode of branching whereby the apical meristem of lateral
flowers of several successive orders contribute to the formation of
the main axis.
Transverse veinlets - small and usually sinuous veins that connect the
major parallel veins crosswise.
Triad - sympodial cluster of two lateral male flowers and one central
female flower.
77
REPORTS FROM THE BOTANICAL INSTITUTE,
UNIVERSITY OF AARHUS
1. B. Riemann: Studies on the Biomass of the Phytoplankton. 1976.
2. B. Lojtnant & E. Worsoe: Forelobig status over den danske flora. 1977.
Out of print.
3. A. Jensen & C. Helweg Ovesen (Eds.): Drift og pleje afvade omrader i
de nordiske lande. 1977. 190 p. Out of print.
4. B. 0llgaard & H. Balslev: Report on the 3rd Danish Botanical Expedition
to Ecuador. 1979. 141 p.
5. J. Brandbyge & E. Azanza: Report on the 5th and 7th Danish-Ecuadorean
Botanical Expeditions. 1982. 138 p.
6. J. Jaramillo-A. & F. Coello-H.: Reporte del Trabajo de Campo, Ecuador
1977-1981.
1982. 94 p.
7. K. Andreasen, M. Sondergaard & H.-H. Schierup: En karakteristik afforureningstilstanden i Sobygard So samt en undersogelse afforskellige restaureringsmetoders
anvendelighed til en begrrensning af den interne belastning. 1984. 164 p.
8. K. Henriksen (Ed.): 12th Nordic Symposium on Sediments. 1984. 124 p.
9. L. B. Holm-Nielsen, B. 0llgaard & U. Molau (Eds.): Scandinavian Botanical Research in Ecuador. 1984. 83 p.
10. K. Larsen & P. J. Maudsley (Eds.): Proceedings. First International Conference. European-Mediterranean
Division of the international Association of Botanic Gardens. Nancy 1984. 1985. 90 p.
11. E. Bravo-Velasquez & H. Balslev: Dinamica y adaptaciones de las plantas vasculares de dos cienagas tropicales en Ecuador. 1985. 50 p.
12. P. Mena & H. Balslev: Comparacion entre la Vegetacion de los Paramos
y el Cinturon Afroalpino. 1986. 54 p.
13. J. Brandbyge & L. B. Holm-Nielsen: Reforestation of the High Andes
with Local Species. 1986. 106 p.
14. P. Frost-Olsen & L. B. Holm-Nielsen: A BriefIntroduction
to the AAU
- Flora of Ecuador Information System. 1986.39 p.
15. B. 0llgaard & U. Molau (Eds.): CutTent Scandinavian Botanical
Research in Ecuador. 1986. 86 p.
16. J. E. Lawesson, H. Adsersen & P. Bentley: An Updated and Annotated
Check List of the Vascular Plants of the Galapagos Islands. 1987.74 p.
17. K. Larsen: Botany in Aarhus 1963 - 1988. 1988.92 p.
AAU REPORTS:
18. Tropical Forests: Botanical Dynamics, Speciation, and Diversity.
Abstracts of the AAU 25th Anniversary Symposium. Edited by F. Skov &
A. Barfod. 1988. 46 pp.
19. Sahel Workshop 1989. University of Aarhus. Edited by K. Tybirk, 1. E.
Lawesson & I. Nielsen. 1989.
20. Sinopsis de las Palmeras de Bolivia. By H. Balslev & M. Moraes. 1989.
107 pp.
21. Nordiske Brombrer (Rubus sect. Rubus, sect. COlylifolii og sect. sect.
78
Caesii). By A. Pedersen & J. C. Schou. 1989.216 pp.
22. Estudios Botanicos en la "Reserva ENDESA" Pichincha - Ecuador.
Editado por P. M. Jorgensen & c. Ulloa U. 1989. 138 pp.
23. Ecuadorean Palms for Agroforestry. By H. Borgtoft Pedersen & H. Balslev. 1990. 120 pp
24. Flowering Plants of Amazonian Ecuador - a checklist. By S. S. Renner,
H. Balslev & L. B. Holm-Nielsen, 1990. 220 pp.
25. Nordic Botanical Research in Andes and Western Amazonia. Edited by
S. Lxgaard & F. Borchsenills, 1990. 88 pp.
- a computer tool for revisional work. By F. Skov,
26. HyperTaxonomy
1990.75 pp.
27. Regeneration of Woody Legumes in Sahel. By K. Tybirk, 1991. 81 pp.
28. Regeneration des Legumineuses ligneuses du Sahel. By K. Tybirk, 1991.
86 pp.
29. Sustainable Development in Sahel. Edited by A. M. Lykke, K. Tybirk &
A. Jorgensen, 1992. 132 pp.
30. Arboles y Arbustos de los Andes del Ecuador. By C. Ulloa Ulloa & P.
M. Jorgensen, 1992. 264 pp.
31. Neotropical Montane Forests. Biodiversity and Conservation. Abstracts
from a Symposium held at The New York Botanical Garden, June 21-26,
1993. Edited by Henrik Balslev, 1993, 110 pp.
32. THE SAHEL: Population.
Integrated Rural Development
Projects.
Research Components in Development Projects. Proceedings of the 6th
Danish Sahel Workshop, 6-8 January 1994. Edited by Almette Reenberg
& Birgitte Markussen. 1994. 171 pp.
33. The Vegetation of Delta dll Saloum National Park, Senegal. By A. M.
Lykke, 1994. Pp. i-v, 1-88.
34. Seed Plants of the High Andes of Ecuador - a checklist. By Peter M.
Jorgensen & Carmen Ulloa Ulloa, 1994. Pp. i-x, 16443.
35. The Mosses of Amazonian Ecuador. By StevenP. Churchill, 1994. Pp.
i-iv, 1-211.
36. Plant Diversity in Forests of Western Uganda and Eastern Zaire (Preliminary Results). By Axel Dalberg Poulsen, 1997. Pp. i-iv, 1-76.
37. Manual to the Palms of Ecuador. By F. Borchsenius, H. B. Pedersen &
H. Balslev. Pp. i-x, 1-217.
38. Guide de I'Herbier 'DAKAR'. Avec un inventaire realise en Mars 1996
et une liste des collection de J. Berhaut. By A. T. Ba 1. E. Madsen & B.
Sambou. Pp. i-vi, 1-100.
39. Atelier sur Flore, Vegetation et Biodiversite au Sahel. By A. T. Ba, 1. E.
Madsen & B. Sambou (eds). Pp. i-xi,
1-310.
79
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BACK COVER: Gulubia valida (right) and Gulubia costata (left). Torricelli Mountains.
Anders Barfod