Beccariophoenix
Encyclopedia
Beccariophoenix is a genus
of 3 species
of Arecaceae
(palms), native to Madagascar
. The genus is closely related to the Cocos, or coconut genus, and Beccariophoenix species, notably Beccariophoenix alfredii
are very similar in appearance to the coconut palm, although they are somewhat cold hardy, making them a good look-alike for the coconut in cooler climates. They are hardy down to about 27°F (-3°C).
s are not present in the genus; Leaves
are pinnate
, to 2 to 5 m long. The term "windowpane" palm comes from the leaflets on younger plants that are only partially divided from each other. They appear to form windows in the leaves. Older specimens do not display the windowpanes as the leaflets completely divide from each other.
Species
The 'Windows' species was originally classified as a variety of B. madagascariensis; it has now been classified as a separate species. It is currently awaiting an official name.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of 3 species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of Arecaceae
Arecaceae
Arecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
(palms), native to Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. The genus is closely related to the Cocos, or coconut genus, and Beccariophoenix species, notably Beccariophoenix alfredii
Beccariophoenix alfredii
Beccariophoenix alfredii, also known as the High Plateau Coconut Palm, is a recently discovered species of Arecaceae , endemic to Madagascar. It is in the genus Beccariophoenix, and is closely related to the genus Cocos...
are very similar in appearance to the coconut palm, although they are somewhat cold hardy, making them a good look-alike for the coconut in cooler climates. They are hardy down to about 27°F (-3°C).
Description
Palms in this group have solitary trunks. CrownshaftCrownshaft
An elongated circumferential leaf base formation present on some species of palm is called a crownshaft.The leaf bases of some pinnate leaved palms form a sheath at the top of the trunk surrounding the bud where all the subsequent leaves are formed.The crownshaft...
s are not present in the genus; Leaves
Leaf
A leaf is an organ of a vascular plant, as defined in botanical terms, and in particular in plant morphology. Foliage is a mass noun that refers to leaves as a feature of plants....
are pinnate
Pinnate
Pinnate is a term used to describe feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis in plant or animal structures, and comes from the Latin word pinna meaning "feather", "wing", or "fin". A similar term is pectinate, which refers to a comb-like arrangement of parts...
, to 2 to 5 m long. The term "windowpane" palm comes from the leaflets on younger plants that are only partially divided from each other. They appear to form windows in the leaves. Older specimens do not display the windowpanes as the leaflets completely divide from each other.
Species
- Beccariophoenix alfrediiBeccariophoenix alfrediiBeccariophoenix alfredii, also known as the High Plateau Coconut Palm, is a recently discovered species of Arecaceae , endemic to Madagascar. It is in the genus Beccariophoenix, and is closely related to the genus Cocos...
- High Plateau Coconut Palm - Beccariophoenix madagascariensisBeccariophoenix madagascariensisBeccariophoenix madagascariensis, commonly known as the No Windows Beccariophoenix or Coastal Beccariophoenix, is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. It is a large Coconut relative that is endangered in its habitat in Madagascar.-Beccariophoenix sp...
- 'Coastal Beccariophoenix' - Beccariophoenix sp.
' Windows' - Giant Windowpane Palm
The 'Windows' species was originally classified as a variety of B. madagascariensis; it has now been classified as a separate species. It is currently awaiting an official name.