Distributed for Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Palms of New Guinea
A comprehensive study of New Guinean palms.
From exquisite palmlets to graceful canopy giants, palms dominate the rainforests of New Guinea, one of the last tropical wilderness areas on the planet. New Guinea is the world’s largest tropical island and a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. Its extraordinary flora and remarkable 250 species of palm are vital for the people of New Guinea, who depend on them for their survival.
Palms of New Guinea is the first comprehensive account of these immensely important plants, covering their taxonomy, identification, distribution, habitat, conservation status, and much more. Alongside over 650 photographs and 250 detailed maps, botanical artist Lucy T. Smith has illustrated all species featured in Palms of New Guinea. Written by nine scientific experts, this is an essential companion for anyone studying or working in the region.
From exquisite palmlets to graceful canopy giants, palms dominate the rainforests of New Guinea, one of the last tropical wilderness areas on the planet. New Guinea is the world’s largest tropical island and a globally significant biodiversity hotspot. Its extraordinary flora and remarkable 250 species of palm are vital for the people of New Guinea, who depend on them for their survival.
Palms of New Guinea is the first comprehensive account of these immensely important plants, covering their taxonomy, identification, distribution, habitat, conservation status, and much more. Alongside over 650 photographs and 250 detailed maps, botanical artist Lucy T. Smith has illustrated all species featured in Palms of New Guinea. Written by nine scientific experts, this is an essential companion for anyone studying or working in the region.
752 pages | 650 color plates, 250 halftones, 246 maps | 7.5 x 9.75 | © 2024
Biological Sciences: Botany
Table of Contents
FOREWORD
by Dominggus Mandacan (for Indonesia) vii
FOREWORD
by Kipiro Damas (for Papua New Guinea) viii
PREFACE ix
ABOUT THE AUTHORS xi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xiii
ABOUT THIS BOOK xvi
1. INTRODUCTION TO NEW GUINEA AND ITS FLORA 1
2. NEW GUINEA PALMS IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT 5
3. EXPLORING THE NEW GUINEA PALM FLORA 13
4. DESCRIPTION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE PALMS OF NEW GUINEA 19
5. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PALMS IN NEW GUINEA 27
6. ETHNOBOTANY OF PALMS IN NEW GUINEA 41
7. EXTINCTION RISK AND NEW GUINEA PALMS 49
TAXONOMIC ACCOUNT 56
Subfamily Calamoideae
Korthalsia 62
Metroxylon 9
Pigafetta 74
Calamus 80
Subfamily Nypoideae
Nypa 224
Subfamily Coryphoideae
Livistona 228
Licuala 234
Saribus 288
Caryota 310
Arenga 318
Corypha 324
Borassus 328
Subfamily Arecoideae
Orania 334
Cocos 382
Sommieria 386
Actinorhytis 390
Areca 394
Pinanga 410
Physokentia 414
Calyptrocalyx 416
Linospadix 474
Ptychosperma 478
Ponapea 522
Drymophloeus 526
Brassiophoenix 534
Ptychococcus 540
Manjekia 548
Wallaceodoxa 552
Clinostigma 556
Cyrtostachys 560
Dransfieldia 576
Heterospathe 580
Hydriastele 612
Rhopaloblaste 670
APPENDIX 1 – Checklist of the palms of the New Guinea region 679
APPENDIX 2 – Checklists of the palms of subdivisions of the New Guinea region 687
APPENDIX 3 – Useful palm species in New Guinea 694
BIBLIOGRAPHY 701
INDEX 717
by Dominggus Mandacan (for Indonesia) vii
FOREWORD
by Kipiro Damas (for Papua New Guinea) viii
PREFACE ix
ABOUT THE AUTHORS xi
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS xiii
ABOUT THIS BOOK xvi
1. INTRODUCTION TO NEW GUINEA AND ITS FLORA 1
2. NEW GUINEA PALMS IN A GLOBAL CONTEXT 5
3. EXPLORING THE NEW GUINEA PALM FLORA 13
4. DESCRIPTION AND DOCUMENTATION OF THE PALMS OF NEW GUINEA 19
5. DISTRIBUTION AND ECOLOGY OF PALMS IN NEW GUINEA 27
6. ETHNOBOTANY OF PALMS IN NEW GUINEA 41
7. EXTINCTION RISK AND NEW GUINEA PALMS 49
TAXONOMIC ACCOUNT 56
Subfamily Calamoideae
Korthalsia 62
Metroxylon 9
Pigafetta 74
Calamus 80
Subfamily Nypoideae
Nypa 224
Subfamily Coryphoideae
Livistona 228
Licuala 234
Saribus 288
Caryota 310
Arenga 318
Corypha 324
Borassus 328
Subfamily Arecoideae
Orania 334
Cocos 382
Sommieria 386
Actinorhytis 390
Areca 394
Pinanga 410
Physokentia 414
Calyptrocalyx 416
Linospadix 474
Ptychosperma 478
Ponapea 522
Drymophloeus 526
Brassiophoenix 534
Ptychococcus 540
Manjekia 548
Wallaceodoxa 552
Clinostigma 556
Cyrtostachys 560
Dransfieldia 576
Heterospathe 580
Hydriastele 612
Rhopaloblaste 670
APPENDIX 1 – Checklist of the palms of the New Guinea region 679
APPENDIX 2 – Checklists of the palms of subdivisions of the New Guinea region 687
APPENDIX 3 – Useful palm species in New Guinea 694
BIBLIOGRAPHY 701
INDEX 717