ISHS Acta Horticulturae 486: II International Symposium on Ornamental Palms & other Monocots from the Tropics
MADAGASCAR AS A SOURCE OF NEW PALM INTRODUCTIONS |
| Author: | J. Dransfield |
| Keywords: | Dypsis, Ravenea, Bismarckia, sustainable seed harvest |
| Abstract:
Madagascar has a rich and very varied palm flora with an unusually large number of handsome ornamentals. In recent years several native Madagascar palms have reached prominence in the horticultural trade. Besides these there is an active trade in miscellaneous native palms, mostly for the enthusiast market. Recently described new genera have been traded shortly after their description and it would seem that there is an insatiable appetite for palms from the island. This trade has some interesting consequences for the horticulturalist and botanist: names used in the trade and among enthusiasts are frequently dubious and until individual plants in collections reach maturity it may not be possible to provide accurate determinations. Thus many recent acquisitions in collections lack scientific identity. There is potential for further expansion for the trade in palm seed from Madagascar. Currently palm seed is collected haphazardly, greedily, frequently illegally and with little thought for the future. Responsible seed collecting, carried out with the aim of sustainability with the full involvement of Malagasy authorities and local people could benefit local communities in Madagascar, and begin to provide disincentives to forest destruction while going some way to satisfy the hunger for novelty among palm enthusiasts. | |
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