Geonoma undata is a species of medium-sized palm tree native to North and South America.[1][2] It grows in the understory of tropical forests at high altitudes.[3][4] This species has highly variable traits depending on its geographic location and several subspecies exist as a result.[4]
Geonoma undata is a neotropical species most closely related to G. lehmannii, G. orbignyana, G. talamancana, and G. trigona. In fact, G. undata is nearly indistinguishable from the species G. lehmannii and G. orbignyana.[4] The epithet name undata comes from the Latin term for "wavy" or "wave-like".[citation needed]
DescriptionEdit
Geonoma undata fruiting inflorescence
This plant is a medium-sized, solitary palm that reaches a maximum height of 9-10 meters[5][3][6] and has a trunk 10 cm wide in diameter at maturity.[5][6] The leaves are approximately 2.5 m long[5] and can be divided or undivided. If leaves are divided, they tend to be irregularly pinnate with the base of pinnate leaflets being diagonal to the stem rachis.[4] The protective leaf sheath that surrounds leaf bases has a notable reddish tint.[5][6]
One key feature that distinguishes this species from its relatives is the morphology of its prophylls.[4] In palms, a prophyll refers to the first bract, or leaf-like structure, holding the inflorescence.[7]Geonoma undata has a prophyll with unequally spaced ridges and a densely matted surface which is unique to the species. The prophyll margins typically have irregular spiny projections. Prophyll length is highly variable and can be up to 50 cm long.[4]
This species has a highly branching inflorescence below the plant leaves. There can be second and third order branching.[6][4] As seen in other species of the genus Geonoma, the flowers of G. undata are imperfect and very small. They are located in pits which are organized in a spiral arrangement on rachillae.[4][8] Staminate and pistillate flowers occur in clusters of three with one pistillate flower, and two staminate flowers in each cluster.[6] Staminate flowers fall off after maturity while the pistillate flowers remain on the plant. The staminate flowers have six stamen with short anthers curling at maturity.[4] The perianth of both staminate and pistillate flowers is composed of three sepals and three petals. However, there is a difference between male and female flowers. In staminate flowers, the sepals are distinct, narrow and rounded at the apex. The petals are basally connate and the anthers have valvular dehiscence. Meanwhile, pistillate flowers exhibit basal connation in both sepals and petals. The pistil is composed of three carpels, an elongate style, and three stigmas.[9] Neither pistillate nor staminate flowers emerge very far out from the pit in which they are located.[4] The pistillate receptacle is anywhere between 12 and 47 cm long and has a reddish tone when the flower is developing fruit.[6]
The fruit of G. undata is classified as a drupe, and a single inflorescence bears many drupes. The fruit size is 5 to 15 mm long and about 12 mm in diameter. The surface of the fruit is bumpy[4] and black when ripe.[6] It has an ovoid shape with a pointed apex.[4][6][8]
Distribution and habitatEdit
Geonoma undata is native throughout Central and South America, ranging from the southern tropics of Mexico to Bolivia. It is prevalent in mountainous cloud forests at high elevations.[4][3] As an understory species of palm, Geonoma undata can withstand low amounts of light[3] and prefers a humid environment.[3][10]
Cultivation and useEdit
Certain parts of Geonoma undata are edible, and this species is often cultivated for heart of palm in Central America.[3] Other uses of G. undata include utilizing leaves for roof thatching and palm trunks for poles in primitive construction.[11][12] The palm wood is also used by indigenous groups to make various tools and utensils. Traditionally, the fruits are useful in making a dark dye.[12] It is occasionally used in landscaping and horticulture as well.[13]
ConservationEdit
This plant species is listed as "Vulnerable" in Venezuela[14] but its status in other countries is not specified by the IUCN.[15] One of the major threats to G. undata is habitat disturbance via deforestation and urbanization.[6][14] Because this is a solitary species, it tends to naturally occur in small numbers[14] making the effects of habitat disturbance acute to the overall population.[10] Although G. undata is cultivated in Central America for its edible heart of palm, some harvest the palm illegally in protected areas which also threatens the native population.[16]
ReferencesEdit
^Grandtner, M. M.; Chevrette, Julien (2013). Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press. p. 264. ISBN978-0-12-396954-5.
^Henderson, Andrew; Galeano-Garces, Gloria; Bernal, Rodrigo (1997). Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas. Princeton University Press. p. 235. ISBN978-0-691-01600-9.
^ abcdefSylvester, Olivia; Avalos, Gerardo (2013). "Influence of light conditions on the allometry and growth of the understory palm Geonoma undata subsp. edulis (Arecaceae) of neotropical cloud forests". American Journal of Botany. 100 (12): 2357–2363. doi:10.3732/ajb.1300247. PMID 24222681.
^ abcdefghijklmHenderson, A. (18 February 2011). "A revision of Geonoma (Arecaceae)". Phytotaxa. 17 (1): 1. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.17.1.1. S2CID 83690257.
^ abcdQuero, Hermilo J.; Pérez-Farrera, Miguel Ángel (August 2010). "El género Geonoma (Arecaceae: Arecoideae) en México" [The genus Geonoma (Arecaceae: Arecoideae) in Mexico]. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad (in Spanish). 81 (2): 231–237. doi:10.22201/ib.20078706e.2010.002.250.
^ abcdefghiArias, Juan Carlos; Stauffer, Fred (1 May 2013). "Liliopsida, Arecaceae, Geonoma undata Klotzsch: range extension for Zulia state, Venezuela". Check List. 9 (2): 455. doi:10.15560/9.2.455.
^ abSvenning, Jens-Christian (December 1998). "The effect of land-use on the local distribution of palm species in an Andean rain forest fragment in northwestern Ecuador". Biodiversity and Conservation. 7 (12): 1529–1537. doi:10.1023/A:1008831600795. S2CID 34175807.
^James, Arlington (2009). "Notes on the uses of Dominica's native palms" (PDF). Palms. 53 (2): 61–67.
^ abBorchsenius, Finn; Pedersen, Henrik Borgtoft; Balslev, Henrik (1998). Manual to the Palms of Ecuador. Department of Systematic Botany, Aarhus University in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. ISBN978-87-87600-53-8.[page needed]
^"Geonoma undata - Palms For California". palmpedia.net. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
^ abcLlamosas, Silvia; Duno de Stefano, Rodrigo; Meier, Winfried (2003). Libro Rojo de la Flora Venezolana. Caracas, Venezuela: Fundación Polar y Fundación Instituto Botánico de Venezuela. pp. 60–61. ISBN980-6355-03-2.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
geonoma, undata, species, medium, sized, palm, tree, native, north, south, america, grows, understory, tropical, forests, high, altitudes, this, species, highly, variable, traits, depending, geographic, location, several, subspecies, exist, result, crownshaft,. Geonoma undata is a species of medium sized palm tree native to North and South America 1 2 It grows in the understory of tropical forests at high altitudes 3 4 This species has highly variable traits depending on its geographic location and several subspecies exist as a result 4 Red crownshaft palmScientific classificationKingdom PlantaeClade TracheophytesClade AngiospermsClade MonocotsClade CommelinidsOrder ArecalesFamily ArecaceaeGenus GeonomaSpecies G undataBinomial nameGeonoma undataKlotzsch Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Distribution and habitat 4 Cultivation and use 5 Conservation 6 ReferencesTaxonomy EditGeonoma undata is a neotropical species most closely related to G lehmannii G orbignyana G talamancana and G trigona In fact G undata is nearly indistinguishable from the species G lehmannii and G orbignyana 4 The epithet name undata comes from the Latin term for wavy or wave like citation needed Description Edit Geonoma undata fruiting inflorescenceThis plant is a medium sized solitary palm that reaches a maximum height of 9 10 meters 5 3 6 and has a trunk 10 cm wide in diameter at maturity 5 6 The leaves are approximately 2 5 m long 5 and can be divided or undivided If leaves are divided they tend to be irregularly pinnate with the base of pinnate leaflets being diagonal to the stem rachis 4 The protective leaf sheath that surrounds leaf bases has a notable reddish tint 5 6 One key feature that distinguishes this species from its relatives is the morphology of its prophylls 4 In palms a prophyll refers to the first bract or leaf like structure holding the inflorescence 7 Geonoma undata has a prophyll with unequally spaced ridges and a densely matted surface which is unique to the species The prophyll margins typically have irregular spiny projections Prophyll length is highly variable and can be up to 50 cm long 4 This species has a highly branching inflorescence below the plant leaves There can be second and third order branching 6 4 As seen in other species of the genus Geonoma the flowers of G undata are imperfect and very small They are located in pits which are organized in a spiral arrangement on rachillae 4 8 Staminate and pistillate flowers occur in clusters of three with one pistillate flower and two staminate flowers in each cluster 6 Staminate flowers fall off after maturity while the pistillate flowers remain on the plant The staminate flowers have six stamen with short anthers curling at maturity 4 The perianth of both staminate and pistillate flowers is composed of three sepals and three petals However there is a difference between male and female flowers In staminate flowers the sepals are distinct narrow and rounded at the apex The petals are basally connate and the anthers have valvular dehiscence Meanwhile pistillate flowers exhibit basal connation in both sepals and petals The pistil is composed of three carpels an elongate style and three stigmas 9 Neither pistillate nor staminate flowers emerge very far out from the pit in which they are located 4 The pistillate receptacle is anywhere between 12 and 47 cm long and has a reddish tone when the flower is developing fruit 6 The fruit of G undata is classified as a drupe and a single inflorescence bears many drupes The fruit size is 5 to 15 mm long and about 12 mm in diameter The surface of the fruit is bumpy 4 and black when ripe 6 It has an ovoid shape with a pointed apex 4 6 8 Distribution and habitat EditGeonoma undata is native throughout Central and South America ranging from the southern tropics of Mexico to Bolivia It is prevalent in mountainous cloud forests at high elevations 4 3 As an understory species of palm Geonoma undata can withstand low amounts of light 3 and prefers a humid environment 3 10 Cultivation and use EditCertain parts of Geonoma undata are edible and this species is often cultivated for heart of palm in Central America 3 Other uses of G undata include utilizing leaves for roof thatching and palm trunks for poles in primitive construction 11 12 The palm wood is also used by indigenous groups to make various tools and utensils Traditionally the fruits are useful in making a dark dye 12 It is occasionally used in landscaping and horticulture as well 13 Conservation EditThis plant species is listed as Vulnerable in Venezuela 14 but its status in other countries is not specified by the IUCN 15 One of the major threats to G undata is habitat disturbance via deforestation and urbanization 6 14 Because this is a solitary species it tends to naturally occur in small numbers 14 making the effects of habitat disturbance acute to the overall population 10 Although G undata is cultivated in Central America for its edible heart of palm some harvest the palm illegally in protected areas which also threatens the native population 16 References Edit Grandtner M M Chevrette Julien 2013 Dictionary of Trees Volume 2 South America Nomenclature Taxonomy and Ecology Academic Press p 264 ISBN 978 0 12 396954 5 Henderson Andrew Galeano Garces Gloria Bernal Rodrigo 1997 Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Princeton University Press p 235 ISBN 978 0 691 01600 9 a b c d e f Sylvester Olivia Avalos Gerardo 2013 Influence of light conditions on the allometry and growth of the understory palm Geonoma undata subsp edulis Arecaceae of neotropical cloud forests American Journal of Botany 100 12 2357 2363 doi 10 3732 ajb 1300247 PMID 24222681 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Henderson A 18 February 2011 A revision of Geonoma Arecaceae Phytotaxa 17 1 1 doi 10 11646 phytotaxa 17 1 1 S2CID 83690257 a b c d Quero Hermilo J Perez Farrera Miguel Angel August 2010 El genero Geonoma Arecaceae Arecoideae en Mexico The genus Geonoma Arecaceae Arecoideae in Mexico Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad in Spanish 81 2 231 237 doi 10 22201 ib 20078706e 2010 002 250 a b c d e f g h i Arias Juan Carlos Stauffer Fred 1 May 2013 Liliopsida Arecaceae Geonoma undata Klotzsch range extension for Zulia state Venezuela Check List 9 2 455 doi 10 15560 9 2 455 Glossary of Palm Terms EUNOPS a b Geonoma in Trees and shrubs of the Andes of Ecuador efloras org eFlora Dransfield John 2008 Genera Palmarum The Evolution and Classification of Palms Kew ISBN 978 1 84246 182 2 page needed a b Svenning Jens Christian December 1998 The effect of land use on the local distribution of palm species in an Andean rain forest fragment in northwestern Ecuador Biodiversity and Conservation 7 12 1529 1537 doi 10 1023 A 1008831600795 S2CID 34175807 James Arlington 2009 Notes on the uses of Dominica s native palms PDF Palms 53 2 61 67 a b Borchsenius Finn Pedersen Henrik Borgtoft Balslev Henrik 1998 Manual to the Palms of Ecuador Department of Systematic Botany Aarhus University in collaboration with Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador ISBN 978 87 87600 53 8 page needed Geonoma undata Palms For California palmpedia net Retrieved 2020 04 08 a b c Llamosas Silvia Duno de Stefano Rodrigo Meier Winfried 2003 Libro Rojo de la Flora Venezolana Caracas Venezuela Fundacion Polar y Fundacion Instituto Botanico de Venezuela pp 60 61 ISBN 980 6355 03 2 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint date and year link Geonoma undata Klotzsch www gbif org Retrieved 2020 04 13 Sylvester Olivia Avalos Gerardo June 2009 Illegal Palm Heart Geonoma edulis Harvest in Costa Rican National Parks Patterns of Consumption and Extraction Economic Botany 63 2 179 189 doi 10 1007 s12231 009 9081 8 S2CID 33171178 This palm related article is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Geonoma undata amp oldid 1127039244, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
