Cyphosperma trichospadix

Conservation Status:

It is considered Vulnerable.

Distribution & Habitat:

Fijian endemic. This is an understory palm found in elevations from 600 to 1100 meters on Taveuni and Vanua Levu.

Figure 1. C. trichospadix in habitat.

Description:

A medium size palm growing to about 7 meters with a trunk thickness of 8 cm with 7 to 10 fronds of 2 to 2.5 meters. Fruits are oval and no more than 2 cm long and pale yellow when ripe.

Cultivation:

This palm is not known in cultivation but may do well in tropical regions. It will require a lot of water and filtered light.

Figure 2. C. trichospadix infructescence.

Figure 3. C. trichospadix leaf bases and emerging inflorescence.

Contributed by:

Jim Valentine (Text & Figure 1,2&3)

External Links:

Kew, PalmWeb, eMonocot, JSTOR, Trebrown

Google, GoogleImages, Flickr, PalmTalk