Linospadix palmerianus (F.M.Bailey) Burret, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 331 (1935)

Primary tabs

https://media.e-taxonomy.eu/palmae/photos/palm_tc_112596_1.jpg

Distribution

Map uses TDWG level 3 distributions (https://github.com/tdwg/wgsrpd)
Queensland present (World Checklist of Arecaceae)B
Confined to Mts. Bartle Frere and Bellenden-Ker. (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Discussion

  • In the protologue for this species, Bailey refers to the distribution of this species on Mt. Bartle Frere ". . . the base of the leading spur, at about 2 000 feet, and from that to the summit of the south peak, an altitude of over 5 000 feet." Of what were possibly many specimens collected from this area, at least two are extant: BRI [AQ75548] from Meston's Spur at high elevation and MEL [unnumbered] from "the base of the mountain" to quote Bailey's hand-written notes attached to this collection. The former is chosen here as the lectotype as it best represents the taxon as interpreted in this work. (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Biology And Ecology

  • In rain forest, on granite, metamorphics, and occasionally on shallow basalts overlying metamorphics from 300 to 1600 m elevation. (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Conservation

  • Rare (Queensland Herbarium 1994) (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Etymology

  • Named for Edward Palmer, M. L. A., of whom Bailey wrote "indebted for much useful information as to the uses made by the aboriginals of our indigenous plants." (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Description

  • Clustering small palm. Stems 1-6, to 2 m tall, 8-20 mm diam.; internodes elongate, green; crown with 8-12 leaves. Leaves regularly segmented with united pinnae, most often with two segments either side of rachis, infrequently simply bifid, segments with broad bases, or regularly and finely pinnate; petiole 5.5-13 cm long; pinnae 2-24 per leaf, dull to semiglossy dark green above, lighter green below; midrib prominent on both surfaces, veins numerous and prominent on both surfaces, terminal pinnae broader than laterals; lamina, when backlit under 10X magnification, with numerous circular clear "cells" to 0.1 mm wide, linearly parallel to midrib and veins. Inflorescence to 60 cm long. Staminate flowers squatly bullet-shaped in bud, glabrous, to 3 X 2 mm; petals apically rounded, green at anthesis, not widely opening, deeply striated in the dried state; stamens 6-9; connective not extending beyond the anthers; anthers oblong. Fruit elongate/cylindricall, 0 -15 cm X 5-7 mm, yellow or red at maturity; epicarp smooth or with barely discernible rugose appearance. Seed elongate/ellipsoid. (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Materials Examined

  • Representative Specimens. QUEENSLAND: Cook District. Mt. Bellenden Ker, ridge between cableway and north peak, l7˚I5'S, 145˚51'E, 1500 m alt., 3 Sep 1986, Clarkson 6569 (MBA, QRS); Mt. Bellenden-Ker, I7˚16"S, 145˚52'E, 1500 m, 20 Dec 1994, Gray 5873 (QRS): Summit of Bellenden-Ker, Centre Peak, l4O0 m, undated Webb & Tracey 13688 (QRS); Mt. Bartle Frere, from the base of the mountain, undated (1889?), Bailey s.z. (MEL); Mt. Bartle Frere summit walking track, 17˚22'S, 145˚45'E, 750 m alt., 15 Feb 1996, Dowe 0276 (BRI, FTG); 25 Aug 1996, Dowe 0370 & Smith (BRI); Boonjee, SFR 755, l7˚30'S, 1I45˚40'E, 680 m, 8 Jul 1971, Dockrill 189 (QRS). (Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species)A

Bibliography

    A. Dowe, J.L. 1997: A Revision of Linospadix in Australia, with the Description of a New Species
    B. World Checklist of Arecaceae