Brassiophoenix

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Monocots
Cladus: Commelinids
Ordo: Arecales

Familia: Arecaceae
Subfamilia: Arecoideae
Tribus: Areceae
Subtribus: Ptychospermatinae
Genus: Brassiophoenix
Species: B. drymophloeoides – B. schumannii
Name

Brassiophoenix Burret, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 345 (1935)

Type species: Brassiophoenix drymophloeoides Burret, Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 12: 346 (1935)

References

Burret, M.K.E. (1935) Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem 12: 345.
Govaerts, R. et al. 2015. Brassiophoenix in World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2015 Oct. 13. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2015. Brassiophoenix. Published online. Accessed: Oct 13 2015.
Tropicos.org 2015. Brassiophoenix. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 13 Oct. 2015.

Brassiophoenix is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Papua New Guinea. Of the two similar species, one is more common in cultivation and was mistakenly identified as Brassiophoenix schumannii. In 1999, Zona and Estig showed that the commonly cultivated species was instead the type species Brassiophoenix drymophoeoides. The two species are distinguished by their separated geographical locations and minor differences in fruit form.[2] The genus name is a combination of the surname Brass, honoring the first collector L.J. Brass, and Phoenix, another palm genus.

Description

Both species grow to around 9 m in height on 8 cm trunks culminating in 60 cm tall, slightly bulging crownshafts and sparse leaf crowns. The stiff, unarching leaves are pinnate to 2 m in length, petioles short or absent, the pinnae being regularly spaced and diamond-shaped, 30 cm long and dark green in color. The leaflets are thrice lobed, the center lobe being deepest, forming unusual jagged apices. The inflorescences emerge from beneath the crownshaft, twice branched, with furry ropes of male and female flowers. Brassiophoenix fruit matures to yellow, orange, or red in color, each with one seed.[3]
Distribution and habitat

These palms grow in the mixed lowland rain forest of Papua New Guinea.
Cultivation

While Brassiophoenix palms are not widespread, they have been in cultivation for many years. As with many rain forest palms, they are not tolerant of full sun in youth but will withstand it in maturity. They also require generous amounts of water and a fast-draining, rich soil. Given their tropical origins they also require protection from cold when cultivated.
References

Burret, Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem 12:345. 1935. Type: B. drymophoeoides
Riffle, Robert L. and Craft, Paul (2003) An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-558-6 / ISBN 978-0-88192-558-6
Uhl, Natalie W. and Dransfield, John (1987) Genera Palmarum - A classification of palms based on the work of Harold E. Moore. Lawrence, Kansas: Allen Press. ISBN 0-935868-30-5 / ISBN 978-0-935868-30-2