Volume 11 > Part 3 > Year 2013 > Page 463 > Arecaceae > Phoenix

2. Phoenix paludosa Roxb.wfo-0000269791

Fl. Ind. ed. 1832, 3: 789. 1832; Barrow, Kew Bull. 53: 531. 1998. Fig. 22.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Synonyms & Citations :

Description : Clustering, forming large, dense clumps. Stem 2–5 m tall, 5–8 cm in diam on clean part, with dead leaves persistent below crown, leaf base scars annular. Leaves 2–3 m long; leaf sheath ligulate; blade with 30-60 leaflets per side, in groups of 3-4, pointing in different directions, discolorous, adaxially green, abaxially greyish, acanthophylls 11–19 per side, up to 8 cm long. Male inflorescence erect, peduncle 20-30 cm long, rachillae 30-50, 5-10 cm long; male flowers 0.7-0.9 cm long; female inflorescence erect, peduncle 20-30 cm long, rachillae 20-40, 9-30 cm long; female flowers 0.35-0.5 cm long. Infructescence 1–1.5 m long, erect at maturity, rachillae with fruits throughout. Fruits ovoid-ellipsoid, 1-1.2 by 0.7-1 cm, somewhat flattened in cross-section.

Thailand : SOUTH-WESTERN: Ratchaburi; SOUTH-EASTERN: Trat; PENINSULAR: Ranong, Trang, Satun, Songkhla.

Distribution : India (Assam – type), Bangladesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra.

Ecology : Restricted to the landward fringe of mangrove.

Vernacular : Peng thale (เป้งทะเล).

Uses: Leaflet fibre for rope and thatch.

Conservation Status: Probably globally not threatened even though the habitat, at least near major cities such as Bangkok, is subject to intensive degradation.

Notes: A highly distinctive palm forming dense clumps of slender erect stems, with distinctive broad fibres in the leaf sheaths. This is also only species of the genus to have a basal rather than lateral embryo in the seed.