Rhopalostylidinae

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Rhopalostylidinae
Rhopalostylis baueri
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily:
Arecoideae
Tribe: Areceae
Subtribe: Rhopalostylidinae
Genera

Rhopalostylidinae is a botanical subtribe consisting of two genera of palms from Australia and New Zealand, Hedyscepe and Rhopalostylis.[1][2] These two genera were formerly included in Archontophoenicinae, to which they are morphologically similar (Dowe 2010:233), until a recent revision (Dransfield, Uhl et al., 2005).

Description

The palms in this subtribe are medium-sized palms, with well-developed, distinct

pinnate
leaves with generally short and massive petioles. The inflorescences are branched to two or three orders, with the prophyll and penduncular bracts similar (Uhl and Dransfield 1987:367).

Genera

Image Scientific name Description
The leaves of Rhopalostylis tend to be held rigidly upright, especially in R. sapida from the northern North Island, making the palm somewhat resemble a feather duster.
Some studies throw doubt on the inclusion of Hedyscepe as a member of the Rhopalostylidinae. In some (but not all) molecular phylogenetic analyses, Hedyscepe is nested in the New Caledonia endemic Basselinia.[3]

References