Ravenea albicans
Ravenea albicans is a species of palm tree. It is endemic to northeast Madagascar and found in seven fragmented locations between the towns of Ampasimanolotra and Antalaha with the exception of one location much farther south near Vondrozo. It is an endangered species threatened by habitat loss. There are perhaps 200 mature individuals remaining.[1] In its natural range it tends to grow in humid forests within northeast Madagascar's mountain valleys. [2] It is unique among the Ravenea genus because its pinnate leaves have an exotic, colorful appearance. Its species name, albicans, is derived from the Latin word for the color white, album, as is the word for albinism. The base of each frond is green, yet they become white to dark grey near the tip at maturity. Some individuals have completely white fronds.
Ravenea albicans | |
---|---|
Ravenea albicans pinnate leaves | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Arecales |
Family: | Arecaceae |
Genus: | Ravenea |
Species: | R. albicans |
Binomial name | |
Ravenea albicans | |
References
- Rakotoarinivo, M. & Dransfield, J. 2012. Ravenea albicans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2015.2. Downloaded on 08 September 2015.
- Rakotoarinivo, M. & Dransfield, J. 2012. Ravenea albicans. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T38664A2881883. http://dx.oi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T38664A2881883.en. Downloaded on 17 April 2018.