Masoala

Masoala is a genus of palm trees and is found only in Madagascar.

Features

The representatives are massive, fiederblättrige, monoecious palms. One of the two species has a stout trunk and leaves with many leaflets, the other almost undivided, upright leaves. The large inflorescence consists of a long, covered by the spathe peduncle with long, worm-like yellowish lateral branches at its end. These side branches are the flowers. The fruits are round and brownish yellow.

System

The genus is placed within the family in the subfamily Arecoideae, Tribe Areceae, subtribe Dypsidinae.

To her two types are counted:

• Masoala kona
• Masoala madagascariensis

The genus is named after the area of ​​Masoala, occurs in the Masoala madagascariensis.

Hazard and use

Both species are rare and classified as endangered. They are rarely cultivated. They grow slowly and are sensitive to frost.

Documents

• Robert Lee Riffle, Paul Craft: An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms, 4th edition, Timber Press, Portland, 2007, ISBN 978-0-88192-558-6, p 384