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Chrysalidocarpus decaryi (Jum.) Eiserhardt & W.J.Baker
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Neodypsis decaryi Jum., Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J.Dransf. |
| Common Name: | Triangle Palm, Three-ranked Palm, Triangular Palm, Three-cornered Palm, Three-sided Palm, 'Laafa', 三角椰子 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Madagascar |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A solitary, uniquely-looking, moderately fast-growing, drought tolerant, medium-sized palm with arching pinnate (feather-like) fronds arranged in three distinct vertical rows and overlapping leaf-bases, forming a triangle at the top of the trunk. |
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| Trunk | Trunk solitary, round, up to 0.3 m in diamater, brownish-grey, prominentlt ringed with old leaf scars. |
| Foliage | Fronds pinnate, bluish-green to silvery-green, tristichously (arranged arranged in three rows or ranks), stiff, arching almost upright (normally no more than 45-degree angle), drooping only at the tips, up to 3 m long; leaflets narrow, especially on the lower leaflets (lower leaflets are developed into long haing threads, known as reins, which drape to the ground); petioles brown, covered with a whitish wax, growing on three sides of the trunk, forming a triangle. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Flower: Inflorescences moderately-branched, yellow to green, about 1.2 m long, arising from the lower fronds. Fruit: Fruits ovoid, about 2.5 cm in diameter, ripening from green to red. |
| Cultivation | Hardy and robust, it is generally disease free. It prefers full sun and moist, sandy, well-draining soils. Drought tolerant and able to tolerate semi-shade conditions once established. However, due to their fine leaflets, they have tendency to look ragged if care is not taken. Propagate by seeds that germinate within 2 to 3 months. |
| Etymology | Its species epithet 'decaryi' honours the orginal collector Raymond Decary (1891 to 1973), a French scientist who landed almost all areas of his research work in Madagascar. It is commonly known as the triangle palm due to its leaf bases growing on three distinct sides of the plant, forming a triangle. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Its fruits are known for their high nutritional value. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Silver / Grey |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
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References
| References | Eiserhardt, W.L., Bellot, S., Cowan, R.S., Dransfield, J., Hansen, L.E., Heyduk, K., Rabarijaona, R.N., Rakotoarinivo, M. & Baker, W.J. (2022). Phylogenomics and generic limits of Dypsidinae (Arecaceae), the largest palm radiation in Madagascar. Taxon 71(6): 1170–1195. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1327 |
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| Species ID | 2620 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
