Dypsis decaryi

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: Dypsidinae
Genus: Dypsis
Species: Dypsis decaryi
Name

Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J.Dransf.
Synonyms

Basionym
Neodypsis decaryi Jum., Ann. Mus. Colon. Marseille, sér. 5, 1(1): 15 (1933).

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Africa
Regional:Western Indian Ocean
SE. Madagascar

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References

Beentje, H.J. & Dransfield, J. 1995. Palms of Madagascar 187.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2019. Dypsis decaryi in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2019 Jun 06. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2019. Dypsis decaryi. Published online. Accessed: Jun 06 2019.
The Plant List 2013. Dypsis decaryi in The Plant List Version 1.1. Published online. Accessed: 2019 Jun 06.
Tropicos.org 2019. Dypsis decaryi. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 06 Jun 2019.
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Dypsis decaryi in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 08-Apr-12.
IUCN: Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J.Dransf. (Vulnerable)

Vernacular names
English: Triangle palm

Dypsis decaryi is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family.[2] It is commonly known as the triangle palm. It is indigenous to the Madagascan rainforest. Some specimens grow to a height of some 15 metres (49 ft) in the wild. It is relatively new to cultivation however, so outside its native habitat it rarely achieves anything like that height. The leaves are about 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in) in length, growing almost upright from the trunk and arching gracefully outward about a metre from their tips. The leaf bases are arranged in three vertical columns set about 120 degrees apart on the main stem, forming a triangular shape in cross section. This shape has given rise to the palm's common name.

The inflorescences branch out from the axils of the lower leaves. They produce yellow and green flowers that later produce round black fruit about 25 millimetres (0.98 in) in diameter.[3]

The palm is a fine ornamental plant and is most valuable as a specimen tree or accent plant when grown out in the open to display show its remarkable shape to best advantage. In suitable climates it blooms all year. What with its colourful flowers and fruit and shapely habit, it is unusually showy for a palm. It prefers full sun and regular watering, although it is not vulnerable to occasional dryness and partial shade.[3] Over-watering and poor drainage are far greater hazards than drought. For example, the palm is best suited to well drained sandy soil.[4]

Dypsis decaryi does not transplant well, so it is a bad choice for commercial field growing.[5] However, it is a fast grower once established, and its seed normally germinates within a month of being planted, so propagation by seed is a good option.[3]
Threatened status

Although this species is now commonly cultivated in a variety of climates, there are only about 1,000 individuals left in its native habitat of a small area in Andohahela National Park, southern Madagascar. It is threatened both by fire and the harvesting of its seeds for export.[1]

References

Rakotoarinivo, M.; Dransfield, J. (2012). "Dypsis decaryi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T38531A2873409. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T38531A2873409.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
"Dypsis decaryi (Jum.) Beentje & J.Dransf". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
"Dypsis decaryi". Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia. PACSOA. n.d. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
"Dypsis decaryi (Triangle Palm)". Gardenia Creating Gardens. Gardenia.net. n.d. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
"Madagascar Palms". Jungle Music Palms and Cycads. Jungle Music Palms and Cycads. n.d. Retrieved August 21, 2020.