Dypsis makirae

This stunning new species of palm was discovered by Kew botanists in Madagascar’s newest protected area.

Dypsis makirae
Dypsis makirae (Image: William Baker, RBG Kew)

Species information

  • Scientific name: Dypsis makirae Rakotoarin. & Britt
  • Common name(s): Tsingovatra (Betsimisaraka language)
  • Conservation status: Vulnerable (provisional IUCNassessment).
  • Habitat: Primary rain forest, on steep slopes near ridge tops, 600–900 m.
  • Known hazards: None known.

Taxonomy

  • Class: Equisetopsida
  • Subclass: Magnoliidae
  • Superorder: Lilianae
  • Order: Arecales
  • Family: Arecaceae
  • Genus: Dypsis

About this Species

Dypsis makirae is a stunningly beautiful new species of palm discovered during collaborative fieldwork by botanists from Kew and Madagascar in 2005 and 2007. It was officially named and described in 2009 along with four other new species from Madagascar’s newest protected area, Makira, in the north-east of the island. It occurs quite frequently in the lower mountain forests of Makira and is an important part of the very rich palm flora that occurs in the region.

Over 20 species of palm from Madagascar have been formally described as new to science by Kew botanists in 2009.

Geography & Distribution

This newly discovered palm species occurs in northeast Madagascar, and is known from several localities in the eastern central part of the Makira protected area.

Description

Dypsis makirae in situ

Dypsis makirae (Image: William Baker, RBG Kew)

Dypsis makirae is a slender palm growing to about 5 m in height with stems up to 6 cm in diameter. Its crown contains up to 13 leaves, each with 8 to 16 broad, elliptic leaflets. The leaflets are fleshy and strongly hooded, with long drip tips. The inflorescences arise from within the crown and are erect, reaching about 70 cm in length. They have around 10 flower-bearing branches. The fruits are yellowish, ellipsoid and around 1 cm long.

Threats & Conservation

This newly discovered species is a common palm along the eastern edge of the central part of Makira. The population is estimated to exceed one thousand individuals, many occurring within the Makira protected area, the largest protected area in Madagascar, and this bodes well for the future of the species. There appear to be no specific human uses that might lead to pressure on existing populations. The impacts of climate change on the species and the forests in which it occurs are hard to assess at this time.

Tsingovatra at Kew

Scientific specimens of this new species are stored in Kew’s Herbarium, where they are accessible by appointment to bona fide researchers. Details of this species  can be seen in the online Herbarium Catalogue

Useful Links

Find out more about Dypsis makirae and the work being done in Madagascar at the following sites:

Madagascar Threatened Plants Project

World Checklist of Monocotyledons

PALMweb

Wildlife Conservation Society

Search Kew's science databases for more information on this species

References & Credits

Rakotoarinivo, M., Trudgen, M.S. & Baker, W.J. (2009). The Palms of the Makira Protected Area, Madagascar. Palms. 53: 125-146.

Kew Science Editor: William Baker
Kew contributors: Mijoro Rakotoarinivo, Melinda Trudgen
Copy editing: Emma Tredwell
Kew would like to thank the following contributors: Adam Britt, Franck Rakotonasolo; Christopher Holmes and Rina Ralison of the Wildlife Conservation Society

While every effort has been taken to ensure that the information contained in these pages is reliable and complete, the notes on hazards, edibility and suchlike included here are recorded information and do not constitute recommendations. No responsibility will be taken for readers’ own actions. Full website terms and conditions.
 

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Fact Box


Dypsis humilis

Dypsis humilis

A highly threatened new species of stemless palm discovered by Kew botanists on the edge of Madagascar’s newest protected area.

Find out more about this species

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