Dypsis humilis
Encyclopedia
Dypsis humilis is a rare species of stemless palm that was discovered in Madagascar
in 2007 by a collaboration between botanists from Madagascar and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Less than ten plants were observed in an area that is threatened by logging and other human activity.
". The leaves are approximately 80 cm (31.5 in) long, with about sixteen leathery leaflets on each leaf. The inflorescences are inconspicuous, from 22 to 35 cm (8.7 to 13.8 in) long, growing at the base of the plant amidst the leaves. The pistilate flowers are 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in) by 1 mm (0.0393700787401575 in), with sickle-shaped fruits that are approximately 1.8 mm (0.0708661417322835 in) long and 0.3 mm (0.0118110236220472 in) wide. The species is quite distinct from other Dypsis species in Madagascar, with only two other acaulescent species previously recorded—both of which have very different leaves and habitat.
, a seaport town on the Bay of Antongil. It is found in rainforest on a granitic ridge top between 100 to 200 m (328.1 to 656.2 ft) elevation. Less than ten plants were seen, in an area of forest disturbed by human activity, including logging.
, the highest risk category for wild plants, by the IUCN Red List
. The only known plants are in an unprotected area just outside of Makira Natural Park
, so the species' survival is not very secure. Madagascar has less than 10% of its native vegetation intact, with an additional 200,000-300,000 hectares of forest lost each year. Out of 172 Madagascar palm species known in 2007, only 18 are not threatened by habitat loss, with many on the edge of extinction.
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
in 2007 by a collaboration between botanists from Madagascar and Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew. Less than ten plants were observed in an area that is threatened by logging and other human activity.
Description
Dypsis humilis is a low growing palm with no visible stem ("acaulescent"), and approximately eight leaves sprouting from the ground—described as looking "like a shuttlecockShuttlecock
A shuttlecock, sometimes called a bird or birdie, is a high-drag projectile used in the sport of badminton. It has an open conical shape: the cone is formed from sixteen or so overlapping feathers, usually goose or duck and from the left wing only, embedded into a rounded cork base...
". The leaves are approximately 80 cm (31.5 in) long, with about sixteen leathery leaflets on each leaf. The inflorescences are inconspicuous, from 22 to 35 cm (8.7 to 13.8 in) long, growing at the base of the plant amidst the leaves. The pistilate flowers are 2.5 mm (0.0984251968503937 in) by 1 mm (0.0393700787401575 in), with sickle-shaped fruits that are approximately 1.8 mm (0.0708661417322835 in) long and 0.3 mm (0.0118110236220472 in) wide. The species is quite distinct from other Dypsis species in Madagascar, with only two other acaulescent species previously recorded—both of which have very different leaves and habitat.
Taxonomy
The plant was named and described in 2009 by Kew scientists Melinda Trudgen, Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, and William Baker. The specific epithet, humilis, refers to the low growing habit, or "humble" height of the plant.Distribution and habitat
Dypsis humilis grows in northeast Madagascar, near the Antainambalana River, outside of MaroantsetraMaroantsetra
Maroantsetra is a market town and domestic seaport in Analanjirofo Region, Madagascar. It is located on the Bay of Antongil near .Maroantsetra is the main point of access to Masoala National Park and the Nosy Mangabe special reserve, and the headquarters of the park authority.Access to the town is...
, a seaport town on the Bay of Antongil. It is found in rainforest on a granitic ridge top between 100 to 200 m (328.1 to 656.2 ft) elevation. Less than ten plants were seen, in an area of forest disturbed by human activity, including logging.
Conservation
The plant is provisionally listed as Critically EndangeredCritically Endangered
Critically Endangered is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations....
, the highest risk category for wild plants, by the IUCN Red List
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
. The only known plants are in an unprotected area just outside of Makira Natural Park
Makira Natural Park
The Makira Natural Park will be one of Madagascar's largest protected areas, and one of the first to be created under the president's "Durban Vision", which aims to triple the area under protection during the period 2003-2008...
, so the species' survival is not very secure. Madagascar has less than 10% of its native vegetation intact, with an additional 200,000-300,000 hectares of forest lost each year. Out of 172 Madagascar palm species known in 2007, only 18 are not threatened by habitat loss, with many on the edge of extinction.