Iguanura tenuis
Iguanura (ig-oo-ah-NOOR-ah) tenuis (teh-NOO-ihs) | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Thailand, Surat Thani, Khao Sok, Takua Pa. Habitat: Limestone hill forest, 100 m and above. Locally not rare.Description
A very attractive, small, solitary understory palm with bifid leaves.
Culture
Warm, sheltered and moist. Tropical in its requirements. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b
Comments and Curiosities
Etymology: The specific epithet (species name), honors one of the geographic centers of this variety.
Hodel's descriptions of the species are fully applicable to the variety, which I would recognize on the important difference of its solitary habit, after observing the sizeable population at Khao Sok. This character in Iguanura is indeed distinct, as observed in other species, and is quite different from forms of stems with basal suckers or forms that are caespitose; of course adjacent seedlings growing entwined could give a false impression. The new variety has been observed growing to 2 m and sometimes fruiting at less than 1 m. The leaf sheaths may shred rather than fall off neatly; this aspect is unlike those in the regularpolymorpha group in Malaysia and accounts for the interfoliar inflorescences. The trapezoidal pinnae are indistinguishable from the latter. It should be noted that specimens in cultivation can be quite robust, and branched inflorescences become less delicate or filiform and quite similar to those of I. wallichiana (as in specimens of "L wallichiana var. minor" ). Floral buds were noted to be yellow in color, and the drupes are similar to I. polymorpha, often ovoid and slightly curved, ripening from white to pink and black.
centers of this variety.
External Links
References
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.
Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.