Sclerosperma mannii
Sclerosperma (sklehr-oh-SPEHRM-ah) mannii (mahn'-ee) | |||||||
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French Guiana. Near Cayenne. Photo by Pierre-Olivier ALBANO. | |||||||
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Cabinda, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabonese Republic (Gabon), Gulf of Guinea Is., Liberia, Nigeria, and Zaire. Sclerosperma mannii appears to have a rather disjunct distribution with a population in Liberia and from southeast Nigeria southward to Congo and as far east as the border area of Congo and Rwanda. The species was reported to be present on the island of Bioko by Guinea López (1946) quoting Gómez Moreno, but without a specimen citation (no specimens to corroborate its presence on this island have been received from MA). Shrub layer in lowland evergreen rainforest, ranging from forest just behind the mangrove swamp forest, through periodically flooded forest, to valley bottom forest at higher elevations, persisting in secondary growth; 0 – 1,400 m. elev.Description
Short or acaulescent, clustering palm. Stem, if evident, very short, rather stout, closely ringed with leaf scars. Leaves divided, very large, deeply bifid in juveniles, ascending; sheath to 35 cm, splitting opposite the petiole, margins fibrous; petiole slender, 150 – 300 cm long, adaxially channelled, abaxially rounded proximally, becoming triangular distally; rachis 80 – 150 cm long, continuing in the terminal leaflet, abaxially rounded, adaxially with a prominent ridge, leaflets 8 –17 (– 24), sub-opposite to alternate, folds 30 – 45 (– 63)_(3 –) 6 – 9 (–13) cm, the upper leaflet deeply bifid, broadly rhomboid in outline, base of the upper leaflet asymmetrical, 30 – 45 (20 –) 30 – 45 cm, midribs prominent, marginal ribs next largest, blade adaxially dark green, abaxially glaucous to silvery and with small scales along the veins, folds apically praemorse, margins minutely toothed, transverse veinlets not evident. Inflorescence solitary, interfoliar, concealed among the leaf bases and often partially obscured by accumulated debris; peduncle to 12 (– 19 cm) long, elliptic in cross-section to 1.5 cm wide, densely tomentose; prophyll occasionally to 20 cm long; peduncular bract 18 – 25 cm long; rachis 10 – 14 cm long. Staminate flowers sepals 3, distinct 3 – 4 mm long; petals 3, distinct 6 – 8 mm long, elliptical; stamens about 60, filaments very short, ±triangular; pistillode lacking. Pistillate flowers larger than the staminate, broadly ovoid; sepals 3, connate in a 3-lobed, glabrous cupule or margins of 2 sepals distinct and imbricate, somewhat angled by mutual pressure; petals 3, distinct, asymmetrical. Rachis of infructescence 3 – 6 cm long, bearing up to 17 fruits, but generally fewer. Fruit 2.5 – 3 (– 3.5), 2.2 – 2.9 cm. Seed globose, 1.5 – 2.3 (– 2.5), 2 – 2.5 cm. (John Dransfield 2008. A revision of the genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae). Kew Bulletin 63: 75-86)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
Sclerosperma dubium was described on the basis of a carpological collection in the Hamburg museum. Beccari stated that he initially considered the specimen to belong to S. mannii. However, upon closer examination, he considered it to be sufficiently different with respect to the reticulation on the kernel and the position of the embryo. The botanical museum in Hamburg houses three samples collected by Wölfert, all bearing the same label information, one bottle contains a single fruit with the kernel cut lengthwise that is obviously well developed, 20 _ 25 mm.read more |
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This specimen can easily be matched with S. mannii, and was identified as such on the label. Two other bottles contain a seemingly identical set of kernels, with Sclerosperma sp. written on the label. The dimension and the shape of the seeds match the protologue of S. dubium. We therefore consider these specimens to be the syntypes. The seeds in these two samples are on average smaller than those expected for S. mannii, but it might well be that the seeds are not yet fully developed. Despite the slightly different colour and external aspect of the seeds, we consider them to fall well within the range of S. mannii, and in the absence of any further diagnostic details, we hereby consider S. dubium to be a synonym of S. mannii. (John Dransfield 2008. A revision of the genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae). Kew Bulletin 63: 75-86)/Palmweb. |
Culture
Cold Hardiness Zone: 11
Comments and Curiosities
Etymology: The specific epithet (species name), was named after the collector of the type, Gustav Mann (1836 – 1916), a Kew gardener and plant explorer.
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Uses: The leaves are used for thatch throughout its range either whole or in an admixture with Raphia (Burkill 1997). In Gabon, the leaves are specifically used for the entrance of Bwiti temples, because of the silvery indumentum on the underside. In Cameroon, the petioles are reported to be used for mattresses (van der Burgt 312a). The young fruits, with the endosperm still relatively soft, are consumed locally. Conservation: Although this species is geographically widespread, it is highly localised with many disjunctions. As such, the species may be classified as Lower Risk within the sub-category Near Threatened, but given the extent of habitat loss throughout its range, particularly in West Africa, it could become Vulnerable in the medium-term future. A virtually stemless palm, suckering and clustered throwing up rigid arched leaves to about 5 m long; of river swamps; in Ghana to W Cameroons, and in Gabon and Angola.The leaves are used for roof-thatch, matting and for hut-walls, often being admixed. |
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/17504-sclerosperma-mannii/
- http://www.palmtalk.org/forum/index.php?/topic/41450-sclerosperma-mannii-inflorescence/
- A revision of the palm genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae)
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).
John Dransfield 2008. A revision of the genus Sclerosperma (Arecaceae). Kew Bulletin 63: 75-86
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.