Rhopalostylis

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For the genus Rhopalostylis Klotzsch ex. Baill., of the family Euphorbiaceae, see its current synonym Dalechampia.
Rhopalostylis
Flowers and fruit of R. sapida
Flowers and fruit of R. sapida
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae
Genus: Rhopalostylis
H.Wendl. & Drude[1]
Species
R. baueri
R. baueri

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 metres in length, and the leaf bases encircle the trunk.

[edit] Distribution

R. 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 on the North Island, in coastal areas of the South Island as far south as Banks Peninsula, and on the Chatham Islands at 44 degrees South. R. sapida thus has the southernmost range of any palm genus.

[edit] Classification

Sub-family: Arecoideae; Tribe: Areceae; Subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae. Rhopalostylis is closely related to the Lord Howe Island genus Hedyscepe.

[edit] References

  1. ^ H.A. Wendland & Drude, Linnaea 39:180, 234. 1875 Type:R. baueri
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