Roystonea maisiana

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Roystonea maisiana
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Roystonea Species: maisiana
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Palma negra.

Description

"Roystonea maisiana, is a large palm which reaches heights of 20 metres (66 ft.). Stems are grey-white and are usually 26–40 centimetres (10–16 in.), sometimes up to 51 centimetres (20 in.), in diameter. The upper portion of the stem is encircled by leaf sheaths, forming a smooth green portion, known as the crownshaft (extended petiole), which is normally 1.5 m. (4.9 ft.) long. The crown holds about 15 leaves with 4.8-metre (16 ft.) rachises. The 0.8–1.1 m. (2.6–3.6 ft.) inflorescences bear white, male and female flowers (monoecious). Fruit are 10–13.7 millimetres (0.39–0.54 in.) long and 7.5–9.5 mm. (0.30–0.37 in.) wide, and black when ripe."

Trunk gray-white, to 20 m. tall , 26-40(-51) cm. in diam. Leaves ca. 15, lowest leaves hanging below the horizontal; crownshaft ca. 1.5 m. long; rachis ca. 4.8 m. long; middle segments 106-118 cm. long and 4.2-4.9 cm. wide. Inflorescence 0.8-1.1 m. long and ca. 1 m. wide; prophyll and peduncular bract not seen; rachillae 20-24 cm. long and 1.2-2.1 mm. diam. Staminate flowers white, sepals triangular, 1-1.4 mm. long and 1.3-1.5 mm. wide; petals elliptical to ovate, 4.2- 5.7 mm. long and 2,5- 2.9 mm. wide; stamens 6, 3.7-6.5 mm long, filaments awl-shaped, 2.4-4.4 mm long, anthers 2.5-4.2 mm long; pistillode minute. Pistillate flowers white, 2-3.5 per cm.; sepals reniform, 1.3- 1.7 mm. long, and 2.5-3.5 mm. wide; petals ovate, 2.7-3.5 mm. long; staminode 6-lobed, 2.1- 2.3 mm. long, free for 0.7-1 mm.; gynoecium 2.3-2.6 mm. long, and 1.7-2.2 mm. in diam. Fruits ellipsoid, gibbous, 10-13.7 mm. long, 7.9-9.2 mm. dorsiventral thickness, and 7.5-9.5 mm. wide; epicarp black, stigmatic scar plain; endocarp ellipsoid, 8.8-10.3 mm. long, 5.9-7.4 mm. dorsiventral thickness, and 5.8-7.4 mm. wide; seed ellipsoid, 7.6-10 mm. long, 4.6-5.9 mm. dorsiventral thickness, and 5.2-6.8 mm. wide; raphe circular. Eophyll linear-lanceolate, 12-15 cm. long and 1.2-2.2 cm. wide, stipitate, short costate. (Zona S.)

Curiosities

Uses: The palm is used, as other species are in eastern Cuba, for timber, thatch, and hog feed.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key
• http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/virtualtours/cuba/vpe_palmsofcuba1.htm
• http://www.roystonea.com/roystonea-maisiana/
• http://www.amazonia-online.com/Palm_Pictures_Roystonea/Roystonea_maisiana.html

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

• IMAGE GALLERY

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

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