Rhopalostylis

Rhopalostylis is also a synonym of Dalechampia.

Rhopalostylis
Flowers and fruit of Rhopalostylis sapida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Arecoideae
Tribe: Areceae
Subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae
Genus: Rhopalostylis
H.Wendl. & Drude[1]
Species

Rhopalostylis is a genus of two species of palms native to the South Pacific. Both are smooth-trunked, with regular ringed scars from fallen leaves. The leaves are 3–5 m in length, and the leaf bases encircle the trunk.

Distribution

Rhopalostylis baueri occurs on Norfolk Island and the Kermadec Islands northeast of New Zealand; the Kermadec Islands population, formerly separated as R. cheesemanii, was included in R. baueri in 2005 after comparison revealed no significant differences. R. sapida, known as the nikau palm, is the only palm native to mainland New Zealand, and is found in lowland forests in the North Island, in coastal areas of the South Island as far south as Banks Peninsula, and on the Chatham Islands at 44°S. R. sapida thus has the southernmost range of any palm genus.

Classification

Subfamily: Arecoideae; tribe: Areceae; subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae. Rhopalostylis is closely related to the Lord Howe Island genus Hedyscepe.

Species

Image Trunk Scientific name Common name Distribution
Rhopalostylis baueri Norfolk Island palm, niau, Kermadec nikau Norfolk Island (Australia) and Kermadec Islands (New Zealand)
Rhopalostylis sapida Nīkau New Zealand the North Island, and on the South Island as far south as Okarito, west and Banks Peninsula in the east. Chatham Island and Pitt Island/Rangiauria

References

  1. ^ H.A. Wendland & Drude, Linnaea 39:180, 234. 1875 Type:R. baueri
  • de Lange, P.J.; Gardner, R.O.; Crowcroft, G.M.; Stalker, F.; Cameron, E.K.; Braggins, J.E; Christian, M.L. 2005: Vascular flora of Norfolk Island: some additions and taxonomic notes. New Zealand Journal of Botany 43: 563-596.
  • "Trilepidea Newsletter (July 2005). (New names for the Kermadec nikau palm and Three Kings cabbage tree)" (PDF). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. Retrieved 2010-10-02.
  • Kew palms checklist: Rhopalostylis