Eleiodoxa

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Eleiodoxa
Eleiodoxa conferta 98855897.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Calamoideae
Tribe: Calameae
Genus: Eleiodoxa
(Becc.) Burret [1]
Species:
E. conferta
Binomial name
Eleiodoxa conferta
Synonyms [2]
  • Salacca confertaGriff.
  • Salacca scortechiniiBecc.
  • Eleiodoxa microcarpaBurret
  • Eleiodoxa orthoschistaBurret
  • Eleiodoxa scortechinii(Becc.) Burret
  • Eleiodoxa xantholepisBurret

Eleiodoxa is a monotypic genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Southeast Asia. The only species, Eleiodoxa conferta, is a dioecious, swamp-dwelling plant, commonly called by Malay as asam kelubi or asam paya. While five species names have been published, the other four are usually recognized as synonyms of the lectotype E. conferta. [2] The genus is named from two Greek words meaning "water" and "glory" and the species name is Latin for "congested", an allusion to the flower spike. [3]

Contents

Description

While remaining underground, the trunks of these palms are clustering and form dense thickets. As one of the few hapaxanths in the family, individual trunks are determinate and die after flowering. A mature leaf reaches 3.5 m in length on 3 m petioles which are armed with whorls of 5 – 7 cm long spines. The green to deep green pinnae are regularly arranged along the rachis, 1.5 m in length, and toothed along the margins. The inflorescence emerges at ground level, bearing either male or female flowers, in the latter forming scaly, red fruit with one or occasionally two seeds.

Distribution and habitat

Found in tropical Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra in peat swamp forest facies and fresh water swamps they are highly gregarious, forming large colonies.

Cultivation and uses

When this palm is cultivated it demands generous water, and rich, acidic soil and shade or filtered light. In habitat, the palm heart is consumed and the leaves are used in thatching. The fruit are often pickled and used as a substitute for tamarind or made into sweetmeat. [4]

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<i>Laccosperma</i> Genus of palms from Africa

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<i>Leopoldinia</i> Genus of palms

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<i>Lepidorrhachis</i> Genus of flowering plants

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<i>Myrialepis</i> Genus of palms

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<i>Oraniopsis</i> Genus of palms

Oraniopsis is a monotypic genus of flowering plant in the palm family from Queensland, Australia, where the only known species, Oraniopsis appendiculata, grows in mountainous rain forest. Dioecious and extremely slow growing, the name means "similar to Orania" and the Latin epithet translates to "appendaged".

Sclerosperma is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Africa where three species are known. Having no obvious relatives, it does resemble the Madagascar native Marojejya though a detailed study of Madagascar's palms is required to determine if any true relationship exists. The lack of relatives, and its interesting qualities, indicate, at one time, the existence of a diverse African palm flora. The name is from two Greek words meaning "hard" and "seed".

<i>Synechanthus</i> Genus of palms

Synechanthus is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Mexico, Central and South America. Commonly called bola, palmilla, or jelly bean palm, they are closely related to members of Chamaedorea, only distinguished by their flower and fruit form. The Greek genus name is a combination of "united" and "flower".

References

  1. Burret, Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem 15:733. 1942
  2. 1 2 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  3. Riffle, Robert L. and Craft, Paul (2003) An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN   0-88192-558-6 / ISBN   978-0-88192-558-6
  4. Uhl, Natalie W. and Dransfield, John (1987) Genera Palmarum - A classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore. Lawrence, Kansas: Allen Press. ISBN   0-935868-30-5 / ISBN   978-0-935868-30-2