Difference between revisions of "Ravenea xerophila"

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==Habitat and Distribution==
 
==Habitat and Distribution==
EAndemic to South Madagascar, between Ampanihy and the Ampingaratra Mts. [[image:RxIMG_4682.jpg|thumb|left|370px|Gary, with Len in background. At Gary Le Vines place. Escondito, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan]]Dry spiny Didiereaceae/Euphorbia bush or dry low forest (Humbert), on laterite or gneiss; alt. 200-700 m. May grow in groups.
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EAndemic to South Madagascar, between Ampanihy and the Ampingaratra Mts. [[image:RxIMG_4682.jpg|thumb|left|370px|Gary, with Len in background. At Gary Le Vines place. Escondito, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan]]Occurs in dry spiny Didiereaceae/Euphorbia bush or dry low forest, on laterite or gneiss. May grow in groups. Recorded at low elevations from 100 up to 700 m.  
 
==Description==
 
==Description==
 
Solitary medium-sized palm. TRUNK 1.5-8 m high, 13-30 cm in diam., widened at the very base; distal half of trunk (or in smaller trees the entire trunk) covered in densely packed sheath remnants; near crown about 10 cm in diam.; bark brown; internodes 2.5-8 cm; nodal scars 0.5-1 cm, occasionally with tattered sheath remnants appearing as threads; wood hard; trunk sometimes producing a yellow latex-like substance when slashed. LEAVES (11-) 18-22 per crown, glaucous, gracefully arching, with stiff segments, the old leaves marcescent; sheath 36-55 x 13-20 cm, white- to dark brown tomentose, the tomentum quickly deciduous, the distal part waxy-white; petiole 22-60 cm long, proximally 2.8-6 x 2.0-3.5 cm, distally 1.4-3.0 x 1.4-2 cm, slightly channelled adaxially, with rather sharp edges, proximally red-brown tomentose, distally glabrous and yellow or with whitish bloom when dry, abaxially strongly convex; rachis 1-2.1 m long, in mid-leaf 0.9-2 x 0.8-1.6 cm, pale green with white bloom; leaflets pale green, stiff, coriaceous, the leaflets on opposite sides of the rachis at an angle of less than 90° with each other, slightly glaucous, acuminate, 47-55 on each side of the rachis, regular, coriaceous, glaucous, the proximal ones 33-110 x 0.3-1.5 cm, median 43-64 (94) x 1.3-2.4 cm (interval 3.5-4 cm), distal 11-44 x 0.3-1.3 cm, secondary veins very visible, tertiary veins indistinct, ramenta red-brown or grey, elongate, 1-2 (-3) near the base of lower leaflets, to large patches of dense ramenta in the proximal third of the midrib, upper 12 pairs without ramenta. {{read more top}}STAMINATE INFLORESCENCE solitary, 55-58 cm, branched to 1 order; peduncle 15-19 (or more) cm, distally 5 x 3 mm across; prophyll not seen; peduncular bracts seen 31 cm, 41-62 cm, 44-62 cm; rachis 29-40 cm, with c. 100 branches; rachillae 1.5-7.5 cm, 0.6-1 mm across; pedicels c. 0.2 mm long, 0.7 mm across, with a 1-1.3 mm bracteole. STAMINATE FLOWERS with the calyx connate for 0.3 mm, free lobes 1.9 x 0.3 mm; petals 6-7 x 2.4-2.5 mm, connate by the fila-mental callus of the antesepalous stamens; stamens in 2 series, the antesepalous ones with a filamentous callus 0.6 x 0.4 mm, anthers 2 0.9 mm; antepetalous ones adnate to the petals for about 1.1 mm, with no free filament, anthers 1.9-2 x 0.9 mm. PISTILLATE INFLORESCENCE solitary, 60-80 (or more) cm, branched to 1 order; peduncle 36-40 cm, proximally 8-13 mm across, 6-13 x 3-9 mm across distally, usually with whitish bloom, occasionally puberulous, glabrescent; prophyll not seen; peduncular bracts white to brown- pubescent, (in bud 15, 21, 20-32 x 1 cm, 31-40 x 1 cm), densely white-tomentose, more brown distally, the most distal one inserted at 21 cm from the base of the peduncle; rachis 20-35 cm long; rachillae porrect, 22-41 in number, 5-33 cm long, 1-2.2 mm across, with slightly bulbous base, proximally 4-7 x 2-5 mm, sinuous, more distally zigzag, with spaced flowers; pedicels 0.5-8 mm long. PISTILLATE FLOWERS with the calyx connate for 0.9-1.2 mm, with free lobes 1-1.3 mm; petals 4-6 x 1.5 mm, narrowly triangular, acute; staminodes 1.7 mm; ovary broadly ovoid to conical, 2 mm. FRUIT 15-22 x 17-27 mm, yellowish, 1-, 2- or 3-seeded, 20-26 mm across in 1seeded fruit, lobed in the more-seeded ones and then 22-23 x 22-34 mm; stigmatic remains subapical to lateral; endocarp slightly sclerified, loose and rather thin. SEED 16-18 x 12-18 mm, globose, hemispherical or in the shape of a third of a sphere, yellow-brown, with white endosperm with small central lacuna. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
 
Solitary medium-sized palm. TRUNK 1.5-8 m high, 13-30 cm in diam., widened at the very base; distal half of trunk (or in smaller trees the entire trunk) covered in densely packed sheath remnants; near crown about 10 cm in diam.; bark brown; internodes 2.5-8 cm; nodal scars 0.5-1 cm, occasionally with tattered sheath remnants appearing as threads; wood hard; trunk sometimes producing a yellow latex-like substance when slashed. LEAVES (11-) 18-22 per crown, glaucous, gracefully arching, with stiff segments, the old leaves marcescent; sheath 36-55 x 13-20 cm, white- to dark brown tomentose, the tomentum quickly deciduous, the distal part waxy-white; petiole 22-60 cm long, proximally 2.8-6 x 2.0-3.5 cm, distally 1.4-3.0 x 1.4-2 cm, slightly channelled adaxially, with rather sharp edges, proximally red-brown tomentose, distally glabrous and yellow or with whitish bloom when dry, abaxially strongly convex; rachis 1-2.1 m long, in mid-leaf 0.9-2 x 0.8-1.6 cm, pale green with white bloom; leaflets pale green, stiff, coriaceous, the leaflets on opposite sides of the rachis at an angle of less than 90° with each other, slightly glaucous, acuminate, 47-55 on each side of the rachis, regular, coriaceous, glaucous, the proximal ones 33-110 x 0.3-1.5 cm, median 43-64 (94) x 1.3-2.4 cm (interval 3.5-4 cm), distal 11-44 x 0.3-1.3 cm, secondary veins very visible, tertiary veins indistinct, ramenta red-brown or grey, elongate, 1-2 (-3) near the base of lower leaflets, to large patches of dense ramenta in the proximal third of the midrib, upper 12 pairs without ramenta. {{read more top}}STAMINATE INFLORESCENCE solitary, 55-58 cm, branched to 1 order; peduncle 15-19 (or more) cm, distally 5 x 3 mm across; prophyll not seen; peduncular bracts seen 31 cm, 41-62 cm, 44-62 cm; rachis 29-40 cm, with c. 100 branches; rachillae 1.5-7.5 cm, 0.6-1 mm across; pedicels c. 0.2 mm long, 0.7 mm across, with a 1-1.3 mm bracteole. STAMINATE FLOWERS with the calyx connate for 0.3 mm, free lobes 1.9 x 0.3 mm; petals 6-7 x 2.4-2.5 mm, connate by the fila-mental callus of the antesepalous stamens; stamens in 2 series, the antesepalous ones with a filamentous callus 0.6 x 0.4 mm, anthers 2 0.9 mm; antepetalous ones adnate to the petals for about 1.1 mm, with no free filament, anthers 1.9-2 x 0.9 mm. PISTILLATE INFLORESCENCE solitary, 60-80 (or more) cm, branched to 1 order; peduncle 36-40 cm, proximally 8-13 mm across, 6-13 x 3-9 mm across distally, usually with whitish bloom, occasionally puberulous, glabrescent; prophyll not seen; peduncular bracts white to brown- pubescent, (in bud 15, 21, 20-32 x 1 cm, 31-40 x 1 cm), densely white-tomentose, more brown distally, the most distal one inserted at 21 cm from the base of the peduncle; rachis 20-35 cm long; rachillae porrect, 22-41 in number, 5-33 cm long, 1-2.2 mm across, with slightly bulbous base, proximally 4-7 x 2-5 mm, sinuous, more distally zigzag, with spaced flowers; pedicels 0.5-8 mm long. PISTILLATE FLOWERS with the calyx connate for 0.9-1.2 mm, with free lobes 1-1.3 mm; petals 4-6 x 1.5 mm, narrowly triangular, acute; staminodes 1.7 mm; ovary broadly ovoid to conical, 2 mm. FRUIT 15-22 x 17-27 mm, yellowish, 1-, 2- or 3-seeded, 20-26 mm across in 1seeded fruit, lobed in the more-seeded ones and then 22-23 x 22-34 mm; stigmatic remains subapical to lateral; endocarp slightly sclerified, loose and rather thin. SEED 16-18 x 12-18 mm, globose, hemispherical or in the shape of a third of a sphere, yellow-brown, with white endosperm with small central lacuna. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995)/Palmweb. Editing by edric.
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One of the rarest Ravenea species. This would probably be an excellent species for cultivation, as it grows in very dry sites, and is an extraordinarily beautiful palm. The Latin name means "dry-loving". (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).
 
One of the rarest Ravenea species. This would probably be an excellent species for cultivation, as it grows in very dry sites, and is an extraordinarily beautiful palm. The Latin name means "dry-loving". (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995).
  
Conservation: Endangered. 65 trees with trunks seen, and some 80 seedlings in the two populations known in recent times. The Tranoroa site is being destroyed by overgrazing. (J. Dransfield and H. Beentje. 1995)/Palmweb.
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Conservation: It is classified as The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: Vulnerable. Endemic palm of the sub-arid zone between Ampanihy and the west of Andohahela, this species is known from four scattered sites where about 450 trees are estimated in total. The species has an extent of occurrence of 17,191 km² and an area of occupancy of 676 km². The habitat is decreasing following habitat conversion (charcoal production and livestock) and is threatened by the increasing frequency of fires in this area. The species meets the requirements for listing as Vulnerable. The dry habitat is rapidly being cleared for the production of charcoal, the extent and quality of the habitat is also impacted by the increasing frequency of fires and browsing by nomadic livestock. The dry habitat is rapidly being cleared for the production of charcoal, the extent and quality of the habitat is also impacted by the increasing frequency of fires and browsing by nomadic livestock. Protected in Andohahela. (Rakotoarinivo, M. & Dransfield, J. 2012.)
  
Uses: Leaves used to weave winnowing baskets and hats.
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Uses: Local people collect the palm’s leaflets by hand in order to weave mats, trays, and baskets.
  
The leaves of Ravenea xerophila Jum. (anivona palm), a dioecious palm with a solitary trunk up to 8 m tall, occurring in dry forest in southern Madagascar, are used to weave hats and winnowing baskets. The species is one of the most drought tolerant palms of Madagascar. It is classified as endangered in the IUCN Red list of threatened species, as it occurs in low numbers in only 2 locations, one of which is being destroyed by overgrazing. Outside Madagascar Ravenea xerophila is grown as an ornamental.
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The leaves of Ravenea xerophila Jum. (anivona palm), a dioecious palm with a solitary trunk up to 8 m tall, occurring in dry forest in southern Madagascar, are used to weave hats and winnowing baskets. The species is one of the most drought tolerant palms of Madagascar. It is classified as The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012:, as it occurs in low numbers in only 2 locations, one of which is being destroyed by overgrazing. Outside Madagascar Ravenea xerophila is grown as an ornamental.  
  
 
This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!
 
This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!

Revision as of 00:17, 22 January 2017

Ravenea (rah-vehn-EH-ah)
xerophila (zehr-oh-FILL-ah)
Ravenea xerophila shot 3 larb 14.jpg
Los Angeles arboretum
Scientific Classification
Genus: Ravenea (rah-vehn-EH-ah)
Species:
xerophila (zehr-oh-FILL-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Africa.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Ahaza, Anivo (Mahafaly); Anivona (Antandroy). Anivona Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

EAndemic to South Madagascar, between Ampanihy and the Ampingaratra Mts.
Gary, with Len in background. At Gary Le Vines place. Escondito, CA. Photo by Troy Donovan
Occurs in dry spiny Didiereaceae/Euphorbia bush or dry low forest, on laterite or gneiss. May grow in groups. Recorded at low elevations from 100 up to 700 m.

Description

Solitary medium-sized palm. TRUNK 1.5-8 m high, 13-30 cm in diam., widened at the very base; distal half of trunk (or in smaller trees the entire trunk) covered in densely packed sheath remnants; near crown about 10 cm in diam.; bark brown; internodes 2.5-8 cm; nodal scars 0.5-1 cm, occasionally with tattered sheath remnants appearing as threads; wood hard; trunk sometimes producing a yellow latex-like substance when slashed. LEAVES (11-) 18-22 per crown, glaucous, gracefully arching, with stiff segments, the old leaves marcescent; sheath 36-55 x 13-20 cm, white- to dark brown tomentose, the tomentum quickly deciduous, the distal part waxy-white; petiole 22-60 cm long, proximally 2.8-6 x 2.0-3.5 cm, distally 1.4-3.0 x 1.4-2 cm, slightly channelled adaxially, with rather sharp edges, proximally red-brown tomentose, distally glabrous and yellow or with whitish bloom when dry, abaxially strongly convex; rachis 1-2.1 m long, in mid-leaf 0.9-2 x 0.8-1.6 cm, pale green with white bloom; leaflets pale green, stiff, coriaceous, the leaflets on opposite sides of the rachis at an angle of less than 90° with each other, slightly glaucous, acuminate, 47-55 on each side of the rachis, regular, coriaceous, glaucous, the proximal ones 33-110 x 0.3-1.5 cm, median 43-64 (94) x 1.3-2.4 cm (interval 3.5-4 cm), distal 11-44 x 0.3-1.3 cm, secondary veins very visible, tertiary veins indistinct, ramenta red-brown or grey, elongate, 1-2 (-3) near the base of lower leaflets, to large patches of dense ramenta in the proximal third of the midrib, upper 12 pairs without ramenta.

Culture

Full sun, and very well drained. Does seem to be able to take quite a lot of water, as long as the drainage is good. Quite a slow grower.

This plant develops a very vigorous root system of fleshy white roots, wher it stores up water for dry times.

PFC for PP.png

Comments and Curiosities



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).

Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H. 1995. The Palms of Madagascar. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and The International Palm Society.


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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