Pholidostachys occidentalis Information

Pholidostachys occidentalis Information

Identification:
Stems 5.4(2.5-11.0) m long, 10.4(7.0-15.0) cm diameter, solitary. Leaves 15(12-20) per stem; sheaths 25.3(16.0-40.0) cm long; petioles 51.7(45.0-60.0) cm long; rachises 192.0(150.0-234.0) cm long, 16.3(7.8-24.4) mm diameter; pinnae 12(8-13) per side of rachis; basal pinna 47.4(34.0–83.0) cm, long, 3.9(1.4–10.0) cm wide, forming an angle of 54(34-67)° with the rachis; apical pinna 42.9(34.0-54.0) cm long, 18.5(10.0-25.5) cm wide, forming an angle of 25(18-29)° with the rachis. Inflorescences branched 1 order, with an elongate peduncle, short rachis, and several rachillae, these pendulous at anthesis; prophylls and peduncular bracts woody, not covering rachillae at anthesis; prophylls 62.0 cm long; peduncular bracts 59.0 cm long, inserted 7.8(4.0-11.5) cm above the prophyll; peduncles 114.1(72.0-171.0) cm long, 10.1(6.3-12.5) mm diameter; rachilla 8(6-11), 50.8(33.0-64.0) cm long, 7.4(6.3-8.6) mm diameter; proximal lips of flower pits regularly shaped, rounded, not covering pits before anthesis, recurved; fruits compressed, obovoid in lateral view with an asymmetric base, ellipsoid in frontal view, with a pronounced longitudinal ridge on one side and several lesser ridges on opposite side, 17.0(16.2-18.0) mm long, 9.3(8.5-9.8) mm diameter.

General Information:
Differs from other species in its branched inflorescences and compressed, obovoid fruits with a pronounced longitudinal ridge on one side.

Distribution:

Native to, Colombia, Ecuador

From 3°43S'-6°45'N and 76°02'-79°46'W in western Colombia and western Ecuador at 854(300-1600) m elevation in lowland or montane rainforest.

Location: Colombia (1.826351°N, -77.695312°E)

Observations