Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit, Clustered Habit) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | New Guinea |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Calyptrocalyx elegans is a monoecious palm, growing to about 1 – 5 m tall, and can display solitary or clustering habit. Internodes is dark green and can be up to 6 cm long. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaf is 32 – 120 cm long and very variable, where it can be bifid, or irregularly segmented or regularly pinnate. Leaf margin looks like it has been torn. Petiole is 12 – 30cm long and adaxially channelled. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence is 50 – 90 cm long and 1-spiked. Flowers are greenish cream to yellowish orange. Prophyll is about 12 cm long while peduncular bract can be 30 cm long. |
| Fruit | Fruit is elliptical (12 – 14mm long and 10 – 12 mm diam) and turns red when matures. Scattered deciduous brown scales can be found on the surface of the fruit. Seed is elliptical, about 12 mm long and 7 mm diameter. |
| Etymology | The genus is greek for a veil and calyx, with reference to the way the outermost sepal covers the rest of the flower in bud. The species epithet means elegant. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Fruit or Vegetable) Others: Stems are used to make spear heads and shafts. Leaves are used to wrap food. In New Guinea, the spear leaf is pulled out of the palm and the heart of the palm is eaten. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden, Orange, Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|
References
| References | Dowe, J.L & Ferrero, M.D. 2001. Revision of Calyptrocalyx and the New Guinea species of Linospadix (Linospadicinae: Arecoideae: Arecaceae). Blumea. 46. 207 - 251 |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 33034 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 7448 |
| 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. |
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