32 PI{INCIPES [Vo1..42

Principes,42( I). 1998. pp..12-:U. 41-.'):1 A Revision of , a Genus Endemic to New Caledonia

1 ]EAN-CHRISTOPHE PINTAUD l.aborutoire de Boumique, ORSTOM. BP AS. 98848. Noumea Cedex. New Caledonia

DONALD R. Ho DE!. University ofCalifornia, Cooperative Extension, 2 Coral Circle, Man/ere) Park, CA 91755

The definitive and unparalleled work of new species and Mackeea in the older Kentiopsis. Harold E. Moore, Jr. and Natalie W. Uhl (1984) We feel this arrangement best reflects the natur­ on the palms of New Caledonia has proven to be al variation and diversity of palms at the generic unusually successful. It unraveled the intriguing level in New Caledonia. but perplexing mysteries of the extraordinary as­ semblage of palms on the island and has 'ably Kentiopsis Brongn, Compl. Rend. Hebd. served as a stable foundation for future palm Seances Acad. Sci, 77: 398. 1873; Moore & Uhl, studies there. Essentially, Moore and Uhl com­ Allertonia 3(5): 324-325. 1984; Uhl & Drans­ pleted nearly all the most difficult work when field, Genera Palmarum, 374-375. 1987. Type they made order out of the chaos of the numerous species: K. oliviformis (Brongn. & Gris) Brongn., and interesting genera on the island. Their con­ (lectotype) vide Beccari, Palrnae Nuova Caled. tribution to palm taxonomy in New Caledonia 18. 1920. ('olivaeformis'). cannot be overstated. The little they did leave for Mackeea H. E. Moore, Gentes Herb. 11: 304. future palm taxonomists mainly involved naming 1978. Type species: M. magnifica H. E. Moore. and describing the additional new species that Syn. novo were sure to be discovered when the large, geo­ Solitary, tall, erect, unarmed, pleonanthic, graphically, and ecologically diverse island of monoecious palms. Trunk aging gray, often ex­ New Caledonia was more thoroughly explored. panded proximally with exposed adventitious Indeed, Moore and Uhl's work inspired local roots, ringed with not too prominent leaf scars, palm enthusiasts to search the mountains and internodes nearly smooth but with superficial forests of New Caledonia for additional treasures longitudinal fissures. Leaves regularly pinnate, in the palm family. This work was rewarded with spreading to arching, neatly abscising; sheaths the discovery of the two new species of Kentiop­ tubular, forming a prominent cylindrical crown­ sis that we name and describe here in anticipa­ shaft, fibrous and z; woody, waxy and puncticu­ tion of publishing a fully illustrated book, now in late to tomentose; petiole channelled adaxially, preparation, on the palms of New Caledonia. rounded abaxially, glabrescent to variously to­ After extensive field work in New Caledonia mentose; rachis adaxially ridged proximally and spanning several years, we had, at one time, con­ angled distally, flattened to slightly rounded sidered erecting two new genera for the two new abaxially, glabrescent to variously tomentose; species of Kentiopsis. However, the two new pinnae z; flat and arranged in one plane to stiffly species prove to be intermediate between the ex­ erect, lanceolate, acute to acuminate, single­ isting genera Kentiopsis and Mackeea and serve fold, midrib elevated.adaxially and prominent as a bridge or continuum to tie the two extremes abaxially, numerous secondary ribs very con­ together. Thus, we decided to include the two spicuous abaxially, marginal ribs prominent and second in size to rnidrib, waxy glabrescent adax­ ially sometimes with remnant tomentum on 'Present address: Laboratoire d'Ecologie Terrestre. 1:3. Avenue du Colonel Roche. B.P. 4403. 31405 Toulouse rnidrih, abaxially puncticulate with tiny scales, Cedex, France. midrib and secondary ribs with numerous, con- ~ ."'1t:

1998] P1NTAUD AND IIODE\.: HEVIS10N OF KENTIOI'SIS 3:\ spicuous, membranous, medifixed rarnenta. In­ calor rarely subapical, perianth remains promi­ florescences infrafoliar, protandrous, stiffly and nent; epicarp smooth, thin, drying minutely peb­ paniculately branched to (2-)3-4 orders; pedun­ bled; mesocarp containing short sclereids, longi­ cle short, stout, variously tomentose; prophyll tudinal fibers anastomosing or not and variously and first peduncular bract caducous, charta­ adherent to the endocarp and a thick layer of tan­ ceous, sparsely scaly to tornentose, prophyll nin cells over the endocarp; endocarp thin, markedly two-keeled, flattened, encircling pe­ fragile, not operculate, not adherent to seed. duncle at insertion and enclosing first peduncular Seeds ellipsoid to rarely pyriform, hilum bract, this one similar to prophyll but not keeled, elongate, raphe branches various, numerous, rostrate, 2-4 subsequent small, triangular, pe­ anastomosing, slightly embedded, endosperm duncular bracts present; rachis longer than pe­ homogeneous; embryo basal. Germination adja­ duncle, waxy-glabrescent to minutely scaly, cent-ligular; eophyll bifid, 4-6 subsequent main branches rounded or angled, with same in­ deeply bifid leaves with narrowly lanceolate dument as rachis; bracts subtending branches lobes, before first pinnate leaf. Leaves of juve­ and rachillae acute to acuminate proximally and nile individuals spirally or distichously reduced to low ridges distally; rachillae slender arranged, "saxophone" type establishment growth to rather stout, straight or curved, mostly present or lacking. glabrous. Flowers in spirally arranged triads of Distribution. NEW CALEDONIA. Four two earlier-opening distal-lateral or rarely medi­ species endemic to the main island "Grande an-lateral staminate flowers flanking a central Terre," two in the northeast of the island, one in later-opening pistillate flower, sunken in a the center, and one in the extreme southeast (Fig. prominent cleft subtended proximally by a con­ 1). All have a very limited distribution at low to spicuous liplike or sharp-edged, rounded bract; medium elevations. triads at least in proximal 2/3 of rachillae, distal­ Ecology. The four species are clearly gregari­ Iy with only paired or solitary staminate Ilowers; ous and often develop pure stands. They are outermost bracteole low, small to inconspicuous, found mostly in lowland rain forest where they bracteoles surrounding pistillate flower marked­ grow up to 30 m tall as emergent or canopy trees; ly unequal or rarely subequal, inner one often however, K. oliviformis is restricted to transition­ sepal-like. Staminate [lowers symmetrical to al semihumid forest and K. piersoniorum is fre­ asymmetrical; sepals 3, distinct, variable in quently exposed in wet, shrubby montane vege­ shape, imbricate basally, :t keeled or costate tation. Kentiopsis pyriformis grows on ultramafic abaxially; petals 3, :t connate basally, valvate rocks, often on unstable steep slopes; the other apically, acute or rounded; stamens 11-38, three species occur on schists, or rarely basalt, shorter or equal to or exceeding petals, filaments sometimes mixed with serpentine colluvium. shorter or equal to or longer than anthers, mostly Taxonomic history. In 1873, A. Brongniart es­ straight apically, free or connate basally and tablished Kentiopsis and included three species, there variously adnate to a variable receptacle, K. macrocarpa, K. divaricata, and K. oliviformis. anthers elongate, latrorse or introrse, emarginate Earlier, Vieillard had invalidly named the former to bifid distally, bifid to bilobed proximally, dor­ two while Brongniart and Gris (1864) had named sifixed about 1/3 from base. connective narrow to the last, all in Kentia Blume, a name accepted at wide, tanniniferous or not; pollen elliptic to tri­ the time but now included in GronophyllllllJ angular, monosulcate or trichotomosulcate with Scheffer. According to Brongniart (1873), Ken­ finely pitted to reticulate tectate exine; pistil­ tiopsis differed in the staminate flowers bearing lode much shorter than to equalling filaments, numerous stamens (20-50) adnate to a promi­ conical to columnar. Pistillate flowers symmetri­ nent receptacle, instead of the 6-12 stamens in cal; sepals 3, broadly imbricate basally;' petals 3, Kentia. Dammer (1906) transferred K. divaricata broadly imbricate basally. valvate only hrieflv to Actinokeruia; and, although Vieillard (1873) apically, acute; staminodes mostly 3, ioothlik~ had transferred K. macrocarpa to , and borne within 1 petal or 6 and connate in a he had done so invalidly, leaving Beccari (1920) ring with triangular lobes; gynoecium unilocular, to validate the transfer; thus Kentiopsis has been uniovulate, with 3 prominent, recurved stigmatic a monotypic genus until the present. lobes, ovule pendulous or rarely lateral. Fruits ellipsoid, red or purplish. stigmatic remains api- (COlllimwd on p, 4/) 19981 PINTAUD AND HODEL: HEVISION OF KENTIOPSIS 41

{Continuedfrom p. 33) \ \

lenqhene

LEGEND

_ Ultramafic rocks

• Kentiopsis magnifica .... Kenliopsis piersoniorum • • Kentiopsis pyriformis

I. Distribution of Kentiopsis species.

Kentiopsis includes the stateliest palms of agnostic character: K. pyriformis has fruits with New Caledonia; they often attain or exceed 20 m subapical stigmatic remains and mostly pyriform in height and grow in impressive colonies. There seeds; K. magnifica has staminate flowers with is great floral variation among the species, espe­ stamens connate basally in a ring; K. oliviformis cially regarding the size and symmetry of the has strongly asymmetrical staminate flowers flowers, insertion of the stamens, shape of the re­ with deltoid sepals and lacks sepal-like bracte­ ceptacle and pistillode and also in the bracte­ oles; and K. piersoniorum has pistillate flowers oles. The manner in which the leaves are held is with six staminodes connate in a crownlike ring. also very diverse; K. piersoniorum, with leaves Groups of two or three species have several sharply recurved and stiff pinnae held in a nar­ shared characters. For example, distichously row V, and K. magnifica, with pinnae flat in one arranged leaves in the juvenile stage and a short plane and initially held vertically by the twist of conical pistillode occur in K. pyriformis and K. the rachis, are the extremes. On the other hand, magnifica; "saxophone" type establishment pinna morphology is strikingly similar in all growth and persistent indument of inflorescence species. Pinnae have an elevated midrib adaxi­ are exhibited in K. pyriformis and K. oliviformis; ally, this one also prominent abaxially and bear­ recurved leaves and waxy puncticulate sheaths ing numerous ramenta, many prominent sec­ are found in K. pyriformis and K. piersoniorum, ondary nerves, prominent marginal ribs and glaucous-waxy inflorescences and truncate-de­ abaxial pinna surface minutely and regularly pressed seeds in K. magnifica and K. piersonio­ dotted with scale-like trichomes. Fruits with a rum. The northeastern species K. magnifica and thick and very conspicuous layer of tannin cells K. piersoniorum seem to be less specialized than in the inner part of the mesocarp are also distinc­ the central and southern species, K. oliviformis tive. Each species has at least one important di- and K. pyriformis. The last share the "saxo- 42 PRlNClPES [VOl.. 42 phone" type establishment growth, and they pro­ Mesocarp fihers nol adherenl to endocarp throughout, duce simultaneously several complex, much seeds hullet-shaped and truncate 10 depressed basally Mesnear!, [ihers adherent 10 endocurp only basally. branched inflorescences with small flowers fol­ leaving a striate ring on it, fruit red ....1. K. magnifica lowed by numerous, rapidly maturing (three Mesoearp [ihers few, not leaving a slriate hasal ring on months), small fruits in great quantity with read­ endoearp, fruit purplish 3. K. piersoniorum ily germinating seeds. These features promote Fruit purplish wilh subapical stigmatic remains, rneso­ and enhance their gregarious nature. carp [ihers not adherent 10 endocarp, seed pvr iform ...... 4. K. pvrijorniis Keys to the Species of Kentiopsis Key to the Juveniles Key Based on Vegetative Characters Leaves 50-lOO cm long spirally arranged Leaf sheath densely dotted with scales to tornentose, rachis "Saxophone" type growth. petiole with prominent ap- not recurved. pinnae Oat to drooping. pressed scales 2. K. olivifonnis Sheath initially densely covered will, appressed white 10­ No "saxophone" growth. petiole glabrous . mentum, rachis initially white-tomentose also, new ex- ...... 3. K. piersoniorum pandi ng leaf light grecn 2. K. oliviformis Leaves 50-100 Clll long distiehously arranged Sheath initially covered with prominent. hlackish-een­ "Saxophone" growth, petiole reddish to purple. glabrous tered, white-margined scales, aging densely dotted will, ...... 4. K. pyriformis hlackish scales. rachis persistentlv hrown-tomentose, new No "saxophone" growth. petiole densely and shortly expanding leaf cbocolare-brown to hright red brown turnentose 1. K. magnifica ...... 1.K. magni{ica Leaf sheath waxy. almost glabrous but minutely puncticulate 1. Kentiopsis magnifica (H. E. Moore) Pin­ wilh sunken. lacerale. dark hrown. harelv visible scales. taud & Hodel comb. novo (Fig. 3) rachis :t: recurved " Mackeea magnifica H. E. Moore, Gentes Leaf sheath conspicuouslv wine-eolored 10 purple or cop­ per-colored, glaucous wax layer thin 10 thick, leaves Herb. 11:304 (1978); Moore & Uhl, Allertonia slightly 10 moderately recurved. pinnae held in an open V 3(5): 324-325 (1984). Type: MacKee 26471 or Oat to slightly pendulous. dark green . .4. K. uyrijormis (holotype BH). Leaf sheath purplish obscured by a thick layer of bright glaucous wax. leaves strongly recurved, pinnae slimv Emergent palm. Trunk to m tall, cm erect in a narrow V,glaucous 3. K. piersoniorum 25 25 dbh. Leaves 8-9, spreading; sheath 0.8-0.9(­ Key Based on Floral Characters 1.5) m long, initially covered with blackish-cen­ tered, white-margined scales; petiole 20 cm Hranches of inflorescence ::!: swollen basally, rounded 10 an­ gled, branching 10 (2)-3 orders. slaminale flowers with 30 or long, minutely covered with brown-centered more stamens and distal-Iateral to the pistillate [lower in the pale-margined scales of trichornes concrescent triad toward center; rachis ea. 2.25 m long, densely Inrlorescence erect, branches pale green and bearing covered by similar scales; pinnae to 55 on each white scales. inner bracteole not sepal-like, staminate flowers strongly asymmetrical. pointed in bud, with del- side, dark green on both surfaces and coria­ toid sepals...... 2. K. oliviforrnis ceous, with numerous veins especially promi­ Inflorescence spreading, branches glaucous and spotted nent abaxially, median pinnae 74-80 X 2.4-5 with brown scales, inner hracteole large, rounded, ::!: cm, the lowermost continuing into lorae to 2 m sepal-like, staminare flowers ::!: symmetrical. not pointed long, all arranged in one plane, although leaves in bud, with rounded or emarginate sepals Staminate flowers broadly ovoid to barrel-shaped in bud, in upper part of crown often twisted so pinnae stamens connate in a conspicuous basal ring. pistillode oriented vertically (but still in one plane). Inflo­ short, conical, slaminodes 2-3 1. K. magnifica rescences 45-55 cm long, spreading, branched Staminale [lowers elongale, bullet-shaped in bud. sta­ to three orders; peduncle 6.5-9 cm long, densely mens free or nearly so. pistillode columnar, nearly equalling stamens, staminodes 6 in a crownlike ring ..... covered especially proximally with small brown­ ...... 3. K.piersoniorum centered scales with long diverging white Branches of inflorescence nol swollen basally, sharply an­ trichomes along margins; prophyll and first pe­ gled and dorsiventrally flattened. branching to 3-4 orders. duncular bract 51-55 cm long, densely tomen­ staminate flowers will, 20 or fewer stamens and median-lat­ rose-floccose abaxially; rachis 16-17.5 cm long, eral to the pislillate flower in the triad ...... 4. K. pyriformis scarcely scaly, with 15-20 angled branches; Key Based on Fruits and Seeds rachillae 27-44 cm long, waxy glaucous and glabrous. Flowers in triads nearly to apex of Fruits with apical stigmatic remains Mesoearp Iibers adherent to endocarp throughout. seeds rachillae; bract subtending triad prominent, ovoid-elongate to ellipsoid. fruits bright red . rounded, liplike; staminate flowers brown in ...... 2. K. oliuiformis bud, white inside, symmetrical, 12 mm diameter 199B) PINTAUD AND HODEL: HEV1SION OF KENTlOPSIS

and 10 mm high at anthesis; stamens 32-38, ex­ dae mite feeds on the fleshy inflorescence ceeding petals, connate basally in a conspicuous branches and flowers. ring, filaments 5 mm long, equalling petals, sub­ Conservation status. Vulnerable (Jaffre et al. ulate, awl-shaped, straight at apex, anthers 3.5 in press). Although K. magnifica occurs gregari­ mm long, linear-oblong, introrse, connective ously in numerous populations, its range is quite large, dark; pistillode less than half as high as limited and the remnant forest habitat is fire­ filaments, conic, 3-lobed; outer bracteole sur­ prone. rounding pistillate flower ring-like, equalling Taxonomic history. H. E. Moore, Jr. (1978) triad bract, inner one twice as high, partly sur­ named and described Mackeea magnifica as a rounding flower, both brown.; pistillate flowers 8 monotypic genus, stating that it differed from X 6 mm at anthesis, gynoecium 5 mm high, Kentiopsis, also monotypic at the time, by its ovoid, stigmatic lobes prominent, white; stamin­ symmetrical staminate flowers, mesocarp fibers odes 2-3. Fruits 2.2 X 1.2 cm, red, perianth adnate only basally to the endocarp, and short, brown, stigmatic remains apical; mesocarp with trifid pistillode. These characters proved to be longitudinal fibers adherent to endocarp only quite variable from species to species within the basally; endocarp glossy, with longitudinal New Caledonian Archontophoenicinae with the groove and round basal invagination. Seeds wider series of specimens now available for 15-16 X 9 mm, bullet-shaped, truncate basally. study and thus are not sufficiently significant to Leaves of juvenile individuals distichously maintain Mackeea as a distinct genus. Moore arranged; "saxophone" type establishment also stated that Mackeea was distinctive by the growth lacking. conspicuous layer of tannin cells overlaying the Specimens examined, additional to those cited endocarp but Kentiopsis oliviformis was ambigu­ in Moore & Uhl (1984). NEW CALEDONIA. ously described as having or lacking a layer of Upper Mayavetch valley, 550 m elev., 20°18'5, tannin cells in Moore and Uhl (1984). K. oliui­ 164°23'E, 29 Apr. 1995 (stam. fl.), J.-C Pin­ formis has, in fact, a layer of tannin cells like the taud & J.-L. Aub« 175 & 176 (K), 177 (NY), 178 three other members of the genus. On the other & 179 (NOU), 180 (K) (all juv.); Col d'Arnos, 550 hand, Moore did not say anything about the con­ m elev., 20°18'5, 164°26'E, 13 Jun. 1995 nation of stamens in a ring, a unique character. (ster.), }.-C Pintaud & M. Olivier 215 (K); Derivation of name. Moore (1978) chose the Upper Mayavetch valley 550 m elev., 18 Sept. epithet because K. magnifica is one of the tallest 1995 (juv.}, }.-C. Pintaud 281 (NOU), 282 (NY); and stateliest palms of New Caledonia. id., 17 Mar. 1996 (stam. fl.), J.-C Pintaud & Distinguishing features of Kentiopsis magnifi­ D.R. Hodel339 (K, NY); Col d' Amos 550 m elev., ea include the thick indument of brown scaly­ 29 Apr. 1996 (stam. fl.), }.-C Pintaud & }.-P. concrescent trichomes on the petiole, rachis, Tivollier 346 (NY); Mayavetch, 550 m elev., 6 and peduncle; bright red to chocolate-brown ex­ Jun. 1996 (pist. fl.), J.-C Pintaud & D. R. Hodel panding leaf with pinnae held in one plane (ini­ 373 (NOU). tially vertically) and stamens connate in a ring in Distribution. Kentiopsis magnifica occurs in the proximal 1/3. "Saxophone" type establish­ an area of about 10 X 1-4 km along Col d' Arnos ment growth is not present but eccentric root de­ and the Pam Penninsula ridge at the north end of velopment does occur. Leaves are distichously New Caledonia where it grows in dense popula­ arranged in juvenile and petioles are cov­ tions at 300-600 m elevation. ered by a dense brown tomentum. Kentiopsis Ecology. Kentiopsis magnifica is an emergent magnifica is very similar to K. piersoniorum in tree in remnant rain forest on schists in many inflorescence architecture and morphology but small, close but mostly separate valleys. Associ­ quite different in floral structure. ated palms include Basselinia gracilis, Cypho­ phoenix elegans, and Moratia cerifera. 2. Kentiopsis olivi1ormis (Brongn. & Phenology. Anthesis occurs from March Gris) Brongn., Compt. Rend. Hebd. Seances through June; fruits mature from December Acad. Sci. 77: 398. 1873; Beccari, Le Palmae through March (Fig. 2). Flowers are visited by della Nuova Caledonia: 18. 1920; Moore & Uhl, bees that have nests in the forest while the ant Allertonia 3(5): 324-325. 1984. (Fig. 4) Polyrhachis guerini feeds on the stigmas of pis­ Kentia oliviformis Brongn. & Cris, Bull. Soc. tillate flowers; also, a very abundant Tetranichy- Bot. France 11: 313.1864; Ann. Sci. Nal. Bot. V. 44 PRINCIPES [Vu!.. 42

K. magnifica K. oliviformis K. pyriformis K. piersoniorum Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Anthesis Mature fruits

2. Phenclogy of Kentiopsis species.

2: 161. 1864 ('olivaeformis'); Vieillard, Bull. Additional specimens examined. NEW CALE­ Soc. Linn. Normandie H. 6:229. 1873. Type: DONIA. Boghen Valley, Mecounia, 100 m elev., Vieillard 1281 (holotype P). 21037' S, 165 0 39' E, 9 Nov. 1995 (stam. n.), s. G. Pintaud, S. Blancher, M. Grouzis & T. laffre Emergent palm. Trunk to 30 m tall, 25 cm 292 (NOU); id. 7 Mar. 1996 (fr.), J.-G. Pintaud dbh, gray, base thickened. Leaves 8-10, ascend­ 324 (leg. f.-M. Veil/on, S. Blancher & M. Boulet), ing to spreading; sheath to 1.1 m long, initially (BH, BRI, K, NY, P); Houe-Moindou Valley, densely covered with :±: concrescent white­ Tindea, 150 m elev. 21 0 39' S, 165 0 43' E, 27 translucent appressed trichomes, becoming May 1996 (ster.), J.-G. Pintaud, R. Gatefait & N. grayish with age, glabrescent; petiole to 10 cm Natiello 358 (K, NOU, NY); id. 359 (juv.) (P). long; rachis to 3 m long, initially with same indu­ Distribution. Kentiopsis oliuiformis is restrict­ ment as sheath; pinnae 40-55 on each side, me­ ed to central New Caledonia at low elevations dian ones 80-105 X 4-6 cm, basal ones continu­ (10-300 m), from Farino to Col des Roussettes ing into lorae, all :±: drooping, shining dark on the west side and from Canala (not recently green adaxially, paler abaxially. Inflorescences seen) to Kouaoua on the east side. erect to ascending, branched to three orders; pe­ Ecology. A gregarious species, Kent iopsis duncle 7-10 cm long; prophyll and first pedun­ olioiformis is an emergent tree in transitional, cular bract 60-70 X 20 cm, with deciduous semihumid Aleurites forest only, where it occurs brown-centered white-floccose scales becoming on schists and basalis often mixed with serpen­ puncticulate; rachis to 35 cm long, bearing stel­ tine colluvium. In valley bottoms in the Tindea­ late scales; branches ca. 18, bearing same Boghen area, there are numerous populations, scales; rachillae to 30 cm long, :±: glabrescent; each nearly forming a pure stand of 0.1-1 ha bracts subtending branches and rachillae low, (usually on flat land along a temporary stream), rounded, :±: ruffled. Flowers in triads nearly to within which there is no regeneration due to con­ apex of rachillae, bract subtending triad promi­ tinuous leaf fall from tall (25-30 m), mature nent, rounded, liplike; bracteoles surrounding trees. Regeneration occurs only on the periphery pistillate flowers low, unequal, rounded to point­ of each stand where mature trees are more widely ed, not sepal-like; staminate buds 5.5-6.5 mm spaced. Mature trees become even more widely high, very asymmetrical, pointed; stamens spaced farther out from the center of each popu­ 34-37, slightly shorter than petals, filaments 2 lation then disappear altogether on adjacent hill­ mm long, straight and not attenuate apically, an­ sides and valley slopes. In the Koh region of thers 2.8-3 mm long, linear, latrorse, emarginate Kouaoua, under a more humid climate, but also apically, bifid basally, connective elongate, around Farino, K. oliniformis escapes from valley large, black; pistillode nearly as high as sta­ bottoms and is scattered on well-drained hill mens, columnar, attenuate to a sometimes briefly slopes. trifid apex; pistillate flowers 5.5-7 mm high, sta­ Phenology. Anthesis occurs from November minodes 3, gynoecium 4.8 X 3.5 mm, :±: dia­ through December; fruits mature from February mond-shaped. Fruits 14-17 X 8-9 mm, red; through March (Fig. 2). Seeds germinate imme­ stigmatic remains apical; mesocarp with flat diately after dispersion. fibers adherent to endocarp throughout. Seeds Conservation status. Kentiopsis oliviformis is 11-13 X 6 mm, ellipsoid. Leaves of juvenile in­ endangered (Jaffre et aI. in press). All popula­ dividuals spirally arranged; "saxophone" growth tions are in areas under agricultural pressure; present. none have normal regeneration. In the Tendea- 1998] PINTAUDAND HODEL: REVISION OF KENTIOPSIS 45

Boghen area with several populations exceeding 20°34'5, 164°48'E, 29 Dec. 1995, Pintaud 309 1000 individuals, regeneration is very low due to (holotypus P; isotypus BH). cattle grazing; dramatic population reduction is expected here. The government of the South Emergent palm. Trunk 10-15 m tall or more, Province of New Caledonia has established an 18-25 cm dbh, gray, sometimes with an expand­ experimental, fenced area near Boghen to ex­ ed base. Leaves 10-12, sharply recurved; sheath clude cattle from one stand of K. olioiformis. 80-120 cm long, purplish-green to purple ob­ However, these measures need to be greatly ex­ scured by a layer of bright glaucous wax and dot­ panded to protect these and other populations ted with tiny brown scales abaxially, only slight­ adequately. Clearing of forests and harvesting ly splitting opposite petiole and there bearing trees for the edible cabbage or palm heart have small auricles 1 cm long; petiole 12-18 cm long, much reduced populations near Kouaoua, La rachis 2.2-2.3 m long, petiole and rachis pur­ Foa, and Bourail. plish, soon glabrescent but covered initially by a Taxonomic history. A. Brongniart and A. Gris dense, short white tomentum; pinnae 35-40 on (1864) named and described Kentia oliuaeformis each side, median ones UO X 3-4.5 cm, proxi­ from an incomplete collection of Vieillard from mal 2 pairs continuing into lorae, all straight, Canala lacking leaves and male flowers. Brong­ narrowly acute, coriaceous, I-ribbed, ascending niart (1873) transferred the species to Kentiopsis in a narrow V, adaxially waxy, glaucous-green, and listed a more complete collection, Balansa midrib bearing abaxially twisted brown ramenta 766 near Nera River at Bourail. This population on proximal 1/2 to 3/4 of the pinnae. Inflores­ still exists but is much reduced as this area is cences 80-100 cm wide, spreading, branched to now converted to agricultural land. Vieillard re­ three orders, all parts except flowers and bracts ported the vernacular name of Kipe for this strikingly glaucous and discretely spotted with species in Canala and said it exceeded 30 m tall minute, brown scales; peduncle short, encircling and outgrew the coconuts from which K. olioi­ half the trunk; prophyll 60-70 X 20 cm, acute, formis differed only by the small red fruits. with marginal wings 2-5 cm wide; first peduncu­ Derivation 0/name. The epithet means oli ve­ lar bract 60-70 X 15-18 cm, rostrate, both shaped, and refers to the shape of the fruits. bracts densely covered abaxially with brown in­ Keruiopsis oliviformis is distinctive within the dument; rachis 30 cm long, main branches 6-10 genus by the very asymmetrical staminate flow­ cm long, 1-2 cm wide, ± rounded, swollen at ers, not glossy in bud, the bracteoles not sepal­ base; bracts subtending branches small, triangu­ like and mesocarp fibers adherent to endocarp lar proximally, reduced to a low ridge distally; throughout. Other distinguishing features in­ rachillae 100-200 or more, 35 cm long, 0.5 clude the dense white indument on the leaf cm diameter, straight to reflexed, rounded, sheath, petiole, rachis, bracts and peduncle, glabrous. Flowers in triads in proximal 2/3-3/4 bright, pale green expanding leaf and erect in­ of rachilla, bract subtending triads a thin, sharp­ florescences with scarcely divergent rachillae. edged, rounded shelf 1.5-1.75 mm high; flowers "Saxophone" type establishment growth is pre­ glossy, dark brown in bud, flowering basipetally; sent. Leaves are spirally arranged in youngjuve­ staminate flowers in bud 9.5 X 4.5 mm, bullet­ nile plants and petioles have prominent dark shaped, slightly asymmetrical; calyx 4 X 6 mm, brown scales becoming marginally more and cupular, triangular, sepals cup-shaped, rounded more white-fimbriate and finally white-floccose or truncate apically, strongly angled abaxially; with age of the . petals 8 X 4.5 mm, long-ovate, connate in basal 114-1/3, pink adaxially; stamens 35-38, ex­ 3. Kentiopsis piersoniorum Pintaud & ceeding petals, filaments 5 mm long, slender, Hodel sp. novo (Figs. 5,9) white, attenuate apically, straight or inflexed, K. magnificae (H. E. Moore) Pintaud & Hodel free or nearly so, anthers 4-4.5 mm long, slen­ affinis sed folliis valde recurvatis, pinnis erec­ der, dorsi fixed 1.5 mm from base, connective tis, vaginis purpurascentibus vel purpureis­ narrow, tanniniferous; pistillode 3.5-4 mm high, viridibus glabrescentihus ceraceis albis, sta­ 2/3 as high to equalling filaments, conic basally, minodiis 6, filamentis basaliter distinctis, attenuate apically; outer bracteole surrounding pistillodiis circa fila aequantibus differt. Typus: pistillate flower conspicuous, 2.5 mm high, New Caledonia, Mont Panie, 570 m elev, inner bracteole very large, sepal-like, 4.5 mm 46 I'BINCll'ES IVOL. 42 high, only partly surrounding flower on one side, from which all collections have been made (in­ rounded; pistillate flowers at anthesis 10 X 5 cluding Moore's) at 570 m elevation on the trail mm, ovoid-elongate; calyx 5 X 5.5 mm, cup­ to the summit of Mt Panie have flowered once in shaped, sepals broadly rounded apically; petals two years (1995-1996), and the large proportion cup-shaped, acute apically; staminodes 6, :t of sterile individuals in the main population on thick, connate basally and forming a crownlike the opposite ridge southward suggests that flow­ ring 0.6 mm high; gynoecium 6 X 4 mm at anthe­ ering may be normally biennial or even more in­ sis, ovoid, stigmatic lobes thick, blunt, straight frequent, with the production of only a single in­ at an thesis, recurved later, angled, ovule pendu­ florescence each time. lous. Fruits 17-23 X 9-10 mm, cylindrical and Conservation status. Status is low risk but con­ smooth when fresh, purplish, drying bullet­ servation dependant (LRcd, proposed according shaped and pebbled, fruiting perianth 6.5 mm to mCN [1994]). Although very abundant at the high, stigmatic remains apical; mesocarp with a place where it occurs, K. piersoniorum is re­ layer of flat, mostly separate, longitudinal fibers stricted to several hundred hectares of forest included in a thick layer of tannin cells; endo­ only. The population of K. piersoniorum is afford­ carp thin. Seeds 10-15 X 6.5-7 mm, bullet­ ed some protection, especially against fire, since shaped but truncate at both ends, endosperm ho­ it occurs entirely in the Mt Panie Botanical Re­ mogeneous. Seedling with deeply bifid eophyll, serve where its habitat is undisturbed and diffi­ lobes narrowly lanceolate to 15 cm long, with cult to access. prominent nerves adaxially; trunkless juvenile Taxonomic history. H. E. Moore, Jr. first col­ individuals with spirally arranged leaves; saxo­ lected this species in 1971. Despite vegetative phone growth absent. differences, Moore assigned it to Mackeea mag­ Additional specimens examined. NEW CALE­ nifica, basing his decision on his incomplete col­ DONIA. East slope of Mont Panie, 600-700 m lection consisting only of immature fruits. We elev., 20° 34' S, 164° 48' E, 23 June 1971 (fr.), were able to collect this palm in flower in H. E. Moore, [r., H. Brinon, M. Schmid & J.-M. 1995-1996, the more complete material showing Veillon 9968 (BH, NOU); Mont Panie, on trail to it to be a distinct species. summit, in open shrubby vegetation dominated Derivation of name. The epithet honors the by Araucaria montana, 570 m elev., 12 Jun. Pierson families, Robert and Oenevieve of 1995 (juv.), J.-C. Pintaud & M. Olivier 208 Tontouta and their sons and daughters-in-law, (NOU, NY, P); 211 (ster.) (P); id. 26 Jul. 1995 Jean and Chantal, and Gilles and Marie-Chris­ (juv.), ].-C. Pintaud & P.-O. Albano 238 (P); id. tine of Noumea, who have gone to exceptional 17 Jan. 1996 (pist. n.i, J.-C. Pintaud 318 (BH, measures to increase our knowledge of New BRI, K, NY, P); id. 18 Mar. 1996 (pist. fl.), i..c. Caledonia palms and encourage and support our Pintaud 341 (leg. D. R. Hodel), (NOU); id. 5 Jun. work leading to a book on this island's extraordi­ 1996 (juv.], J.-C. Pintaud & D. R. Hodel367 nary palms. (NOU). Kentiopsis piersoniorum is an impressive and Distribution. Kentiopsis piersoniorum occurs spectacular palm. The sharply recurved, grayish in a very limited area on the east slope of Mt leaves and glaucous crownshaft are remarkable, Panie where it mainly occupies one valley and even among the many palm species with re­ adjacent hills and ridges at (400)500-800(1000) curved leaves on Mt Panie and the strikingly m elevation. glaucous color of the inflorescence contrasts Ecology. Kenuopsis piersoniorum grows as an aesthetically with the glossy brown buds, pink emergent, gregarious, dominant, exposed tree in petals, white filaments and yellow anthers of the shrubby to forested vegetation on steep slopes staminate flowers. Unfortunately for visitors, the and ridges on schists. Associated palm species breathtaking populations of K. piersoniorum. are include Basselinia velutina, Chambeyronia lepi­ hardly accessible. dota, Moratia cerifera, and Brongniartikeruia Kentiopsis piersoniorum. is distinctive by the lanuginosa. Mass germination occurs in the complete staminodial ring but also by its low rate dense stands. of reproduction and long delay (one month) be­ Phenology. Anthesis occurs from November tween anthesis of staminate and pistillate flow­ through April; fruits mature from August through ers in the same triad. Kentiopsis piersoniorum. October (Fig. 2). The two accessible individuals resembles K. magnifica in inflorescence mor- 19981 PINTALlIJ ANIJ HODEL: REVISION OF KENTIOPSIS 47

.3. Kentiopsis ma gnifica : e me rge nt in re mna nt fo rest a t Col d'Amos, 500 m (see Ceni erfold. left , for co lor). 4 . Kentiopsis olioi­ [ormis: tall trees sta nd ing a t the edge of a gallery [orest in Bogh en vallev, SO m (see Ce nte rfo id , rig ht, for col or). S. Kentiopsis pi ersoniorum: a group in low m onr a ne [orest. Mont Panie. 700 m. 6. Kent iopsis p vriformis: habit . 48 PHINCIPES IVoL. 42

7. Kentiopsis pyriformis: view or the crown at Goro, .50 rn. 8. Kentiopsis pyriformis: newly opened, pink inAorecence. 19981 PINTAUD AND HODEL: BEVISION OF KENTlOPSIS 49 phology, both species having stout glaucous and ly flattened, brownish green to bright purple; pe­ sparsely scaly branches, glossy-brown buds and duncle and rachis with thin indument of brown­ unequal bracteoles, the inner one sepal-like, but centered, white-margined minute scales; bracls they differ markedly in flower shape and struc­ subtending branches small, triangular-obtuse to ture, leaf shape, and indument. The two species acuminate and finally reduced to a ridge; occur about 50 air kilometers apart. rachillae 100-400, slender, 20-30 cm long, 0.5 cm diameter, folded and mucilaginous in inflo­ 4. Kentiopsis pyriformis Pintaud & rescence bud, rounded, glabrescent, very pale Hodel sp. novo (Figs. 6-9) green to crearn-colored in bud, becoming brown Kentiopsis oliviformi (Brongn. & Gris) Brongn. or dark purple. Flowers in horizontal triads of a affinis sed foliorum vaginis glabrescentibus cer­ central pistillate flower flanked by two median­ aceis cupreis vel vinosis, inflorescentiis effusis lateral earlier-opening staminate flowers; triads ramis principalibus angulatis, floribus masculis in proximal 2/3 and sometimes nearly to apex of symmetricalibus, staminibus 11-20 differt. rachillae, paired staminate flowers only distally, Typus: New Caledonia, Goro, mouth of Kuebini or sometimes paired starninate flowers on uni­ River, 50 m elev., 22 0 16' S, 1670 E, 6 Dec. sexual rachillae; bracts subtending triads a thin, 1995, }-C Pintaud & D. R. Hodel303 (holotypus rounded, sharp-edged lip to I mm high; stami­ P; isotypi BH, BRI, K, NOV, NY). nate flowers in bud 6 X 3.5-4 mm, glossy brown, almost symmetrical; calyx 2.5 mm high and 3.5 Subcanopy to emergent palm. Trunk 10-18 m mm in diameter, cupular, sepals keel-like, trun­ tall, 10-22 cm dbh, brown becoming gray, some­ cate or broadly rounded apically; petals ovate, times enlarged or bulging at the base, adventi­ boat-shaped, spreading at anthesis, adnate to tious roots visible. Leaves 7-12, ascending to the receptacle basally and with a swollen pulvi­ spreading, moderately recurved or nearly nus just above, pinkish adaxially; stamens straight; leaf sheath 70-130 cm long, copper­ 11-20, just exceeding petals, filaments free or colored or purplish red, with a thin cover of glau­ nearly so, 2.5 mm long, slender, slightly fluted, cous-white wax and minutely puncticulate with white, straight, and not attenuate apically, an­ tiny brown lacerate scales abaxially, splitting in thers 2-2.5 mm long, slender, dorsi fixed 1/3 up the distal 1/4-1/3 opposite petiole and there from base, connective white, not tanniniferous; bearing small auricles I cm long or terminating pistillode 1-1.5 mm high, much shorter than fil­ on petiole with two wings 10 cm long; petiole aments and petals, conical to columnar and flut­ 20-45 cm long (sometimes 10 2.6 m long in trun­ ed or rarely spindle-shaped; outerbracteole sur­ kless juveniles), glabrescent, green or reddish to rounding pistillate flower 1-2.5 mm high, purplish; rachis 2.5-3 m long, petiole and rachis sepal-like or not, inner bracteole 2.75 mm high, variously covered initially by thin feltlike indu­ always sepal-like, sometimes forming a tube ment of brown-centered, white-margined scales; with the outer bracteole; pistillate flowers 5-6 X pinnae 40-58 on each side, median ones 3-4.5 mm, rhomboid and laterally compressed 1l0-130 X 5-8 cm, proximal two pairs continu­ or globose-ovoid; calyx 4-4.5 X 4-4.5 mm, ing into lorae, all acute, coriaceous, one-ribbed, cupular, sepals strongly bowl-like to cup­ ascending and held in open V or borne in one shaped; petals bowl-like to cup-shaped, scarcely plane and flat to slightly pendulous, green and exceeding or much exceeding sepals; stamin­ glossy adaxially, mid rib and sometimes sec­ odes 3, 0.5-0.9 mm high, toothlike, thin, mem­ ondary ribs bearing abaxially membranous, branous; gynoecium 4-5.5 X 2.5-3 mm, stig­ medifixed ramenta in groups of 2-20. Inflores­ matic lobes recurved, angled, laying between cences 1-2, 60-100 cm wide, spreading, corolla lobes or short, erect; ovule laterally at­ branched to four orders; peduncle 6-10 cm long; tached or pendulous. Fruits to 17 X 7 mm, ob­ prophyll 40-50 X 20 cm, splitting into two long, purplish pink, fruiting perianth 6 X 8 mm, halves; first peduncular bract 50-60 X 15-18 stigmatic residue subapical; mesocarp with cm, beaked, slightly exceeding the prophyll, abundant, mostly elongate, but at times wander­ both bracts pale green or dark purple, glabres­ ing or reticulate fibers not adherent to endocarp, cent to variously tomentose abaxially; rachis tannin cells in a thick layer between fibers and 30-40 cm long with 10 main branches 2-10 cm endocarp; endocarp whitish, fragile. Seeds long, 1-4 cm wide, sharply angled, dorsiventral- 10-12 X 5-6 mm, pyriform, rarely ± ellipsoid, .')0 PHINClPES IVoL.42

I-( P

'J. (A-F). Keutiopsis pyriformis. (A). Portion of rachilla at staminate anrhesis. (B). Portion of rachillae, fruit removed. show­ ing hracteoles. (C). Longitudinal section of pistillate flower at anthesis, (D). Hipe fruit. (E). Fruit with outer mesocarp re­ moved 10 show pattern of fibers. (F). Seed (hilum view). (G-L Kentiopsis piersoniorum. (G). Pori ion of rachilla at staminale anthesis. (H). Gynoeeium just after anthesis, showing the staminodal ring. (I). Dried fruit. Scale bars: vertica] = .') mm, hori­ zontal = I mill. A: from Pintuud 303: H, D. E, F: from Pintuud 348: C: from Pintaud 3/0: G: from Pintaud 309: H: from Pintaud Ba l : I: frnmMoure 9968. 19981 PINTAUD AND HODE\.: HEVISION OF KENTlOPSIS 51 hilum elongate, lateral, raphe branches mostly with other palms including divari­ longitudinal, anastomosing little, slightly em­ cata, Basselinia pancheri, Clinosperma bracteale, bedded. Bifid leaves 5-6 before first pinnate and Cyphokentia macrostachya. The population leaf; trunkless juvenile individuals with distic­ near Port Boise is much smaller and the individ­ hously arranged leaves, becoming spirally uals more scattered. Associated palms there in­ arranged with age, petioles glabrous, glossy red­ clude A. divaricata, B. gracilis, B. pancheri, dish to dark purple; "saxophone" growth pre­ . sent. Phenology. Flowers usually occur from No­ Additional specimens examined. NEW CALE­ vember through February with a 15-day delay DONIA. Coastal locations: Touaourou, edge of between anthesis of staminate and pistillate the rain forest, 10 m elev., 22° 12' S, 166° 58' E. flowers in the same triad; fruits mature from 26 Apr. 1995 (ster.), L-C. Pinuuul 174 (leg. T. April through June (Fig. 2). Tonnelier, M. Dumas & R. Lavoix), (NOV); Coro, Conservation status. Status is critically endan­ mouth of Kuebini River, 50 m elev., 22° 16' S, gered (proposed). Occupying less than 2 ha, the 16r E, 5 May 1995 (fr.), t..c. Pintaud & M. main population of K. pyriformis at the Kuebini Dumas 190 (NOV, NY); id. 26 May 1995 [juv.), River is unprotected and consists of less than a t..c. Pintaud & C. Pierson 203 (NOU), 204 (P); hundred trunked individuals. Fire severely af­ id. 10 Sept. 1995 (buds), I..c. Pintaud & M. fected the entire population about 1980, destroy­ Dumas 265 (BH NOV, P); id. 6 Dec. 1995 (stam. ing nearly all saplings and damaging trunks of fl.), t..c. Pintaud & D. R. Hodel304 (BH, BRI, many mature individuals. Despite an abundant K, NOU, NY, P); id. 4 Jan. 1996 (pist. fl.), i-c. and regular production of readily germinating Pintaud, T. [affr« & ].-M. Veillon 310 (BH, K, seeds, regeneration remains extremely low due to NY); id. 4 May 1996 (fr.}, ].-c. Pintaud & M. the difficulty of seedling establishment in an un­ Dumas 348 (BH, BRI, K, NOV, NY, P); Kaa Dru­ usually steep, rocky, unstable habitat. In March mia south of Coro, 50 m elev., 22° 19' S, 167° E, 1996, Cyclone Beti caused the fall of at least 26 Jun. 1996 (old infru.), i.-C. Pintaud 374 (leg. 25% of the adults, nearly all of them more wind­ J-M Veillon), (NOV); Inland location: South of prone since the earlier fire destroyed protective Mts Nengone, near Port Boise, 200 m elev., 22° vegetation and damaged trunks. In one group of 20' S, 166° 55' E, 26 May 1995 (juv.), i..c. Pin­ eight adults, the cyclone felled seven of them. taud & C. Pierson 200 & 201 (P), 202 (K, NY); Farther north along the coast at Touaourou, id. 10 Dec. 1995 (buds & pist. fl.), le-C. PintaLLd the forest is restricted to a narrow fringe inland & D. R. Hodel306 (BH, BRI, K, NOV, NY, P); id. from the road and next to the mountains. Here, 13 Jan. 1996 (juv.), ].-c. Pinuuul & M. Dumas burning, clearing for gardens and homes, and re­ 316 (P); id. 12 Feb. 1996 (seeds), i..c. Pinuuul cent road improvements and rural electrification 325 (leg. R. Lavoix) (NOV). have all taken a toll on the forest. Also, native in­ Distribution. Kentiopsis pyriformis ranges habitants probably harvested the palms, perhaps from along the east coast of New Caledonia south for the edible palm heart or cabbage and/or con­ of Yate, where it occurs in a fringe of forest 20 struction, since not one adult tree has been ob­ km long and 100-500 m wide from Touaourou to served there. Some other small groups composed Coro villages at 5-100 m elevation, inland to the of a few adults and juveniles occur south of Coro southwest about 11.5 air kilometers distant in where they are affected by landslides and stream remnant patches of forest at about 200 m eleva­ erosion. tion, at the southern end of Monts Nengone, near The Port Boise population is known from ca. Port Boise. The main population is at Coro on a 20 adult trees, less than a hundred juveniles steep, unstable, rocky slope above the mouth of with trunks, and numerous saplings, which lo­ Kuebini River. cally dominate the understory, and is partly, al­ Ecology. A more or less gregarious, sub­ though marginally, included in a botanical re­ canopy to canopy species, Kentiopsis pyriformis serve. Felling of trees for construction and is found in lowland rain forest on ultramafic edible palm heart has decimated this popula­ rocks, both on oxydic colluvium on flat land and tion. Jean-Marie Veillon (personal communica­ steep, rocky, eroded slopes of peridotitic moun­ tion) reports that as a forestry officer in the tains and hills. The largest and more gregarious 1970s, he cited people for illegal CUlling of population at the Kuebini River near Coro grows palms in the Botanical Reserve. 52 PRINCIPES IVoL.42

Taxonomic history. Lucien Lavoix, an ardent Port Boise mountains not previously visited has palm enthusiast, first noticed this palm and uncovered additional populations of Kentiopsis brought it into cultivation in the early 1970s, pyriformis with a mix of vegetative characters using seedlings removed from the Port Boise and sometimes intermediate forms, which show population. Donald R. Hodel saw the species in that these features are quite variable and, in fact, the forest at Touaourou in 1977, and suspected it lead nearly to a continuum between the two col­ might be a new species. However, Kentiopsis lected populations. pyriformis remained undocumented until we In reproductive morphology, the coastal and made the only collections of mature, flowering inland populations differ mainly in the shape of trees in 1995-1996, relying on information from the pistillate flowers (rhomboid or ovoid) and Raymond Lavoix, son of Lucien, and several surrounding bracts (forming a tube or not) and members of Association Chambeyronia, the New other pistillate structures such as stigmas (re­ Caledonia Palm Society. curved or straight) and ovule attachment (lateral Derivation of name. The epithet means pear­ or pendulous), but we have made only one col­ shaped, and refers to the unusual and distinctive lection with pistillate flowers at each location, shape of the seeds. and thus we do not know the possible variability Since each of the two collected populations of of these structures. Kentiopsis pyriformis (Kuebini River and inland near Port Boise] has conspicuous differences, Biogeography some explanation is needed to justify their inclu­ The discovery of two new species enhances sion in a single, variable species. our understanding of patterns of evolution and The two populations have the same major biogeography of Kentiopsis. Two species are re­ structural characteristics, both in vegetative stricted to the northeastern schistose range de­ and reproductive morphology. Distichous and rived from the ancient rocks of East Gondwanan glabrous juvenile stages associated with saxo­ origin (Paris 1981). The rich flora of this region phone growth, highly branched inflorescences has been interpreted as a modified sample of the with flattened and sharply angled branches, late Cretaceous East Gondwanan flora (Morat et slender rachillae, symmetrical flowers arranged al. 1986). With two genera and three species, Mt horizontally in the triad, staminate flowers with Panie, which is clearly a refuge for rain forest sharply costate sepals, rather few stamens with taxa, is not surprisingly rich in Archon­ short filaments not attenuate apically, white con­ tophoenicinae, an autochthonous East Gond­ nectives and short pistillodes, pistillate flowers wanan subtribe supposedly of late Cretaceous with three staminodes born within one petal, and origin. In contrast, Kentiopsis pyriformis has pyriform seeds are constant and diagnostic char­ probably differentiated on more recent ultramaf­ acters. Purplish-pink fruits with subapical stig­ ic substrates dating from the late Eocene, 38 matic remains and distinctive, elongate, wander­ million years ago (Jaffre et al. 1987). Kentiopsis ing, reticulate mesocarp fibers may also prove to oliviformis is unique among New Caledonia be good diagnostic characters, although mature palms in growing in semihumid transitional for­ fruits are yet unknown from populations near est, a vegetation type of late Tertiary to early Port Boise where only pyriform seeds removed Quaternary origin, rather poor in species and from seedlings have been found so far. dominated by the possibly introduced Aleurites The most striking differences in vegetative moluccana (L.) Willd. (Euphorbiaceae] and con­ morphology concern the habit of the palm and taining numerous elements of the dry sclero­ characters of the leaf sheath. Individuals from phyllous flora [Iaffre et al. 1993). K. oliuiformis the coastal population have only 7-8 recurved is, as presently known, the only endemic plant leaves with a copper-colored sheath bearing species of transitional forest. The genus has small auricles at apex, and pinnae held straight spread from the northern to the southern ends of in an open V,while individuals of the inland pop­ the island in very different habitats but, despite ulation have 10-12 spreading leaves with attrac­ efficient reproductive systems and gregarious tive, purplish to burgundy sheaths lacking auri­ behavior, the species of Kentiopsis remain highly cles, terminating in wings, and flat to slightly localized, a pattern common to many New Cale­ drooping pinnae. However, exploration in July donia endemic taxa and one still not clearly ex­ 1996, south of Goro and on the eastern side of plained. 19981 PINTAUD AND HODH: REVISION OF KENTIOPSIS 53

Horticultural value of Kentiopsis Jourdan for arthropod identifications, Tanguy The species of Kentiopsis have great horticul­ Jaffre and Jean-Marie Veillon for continuous tural appeal. They are tall, solitary, pinnate­ support and help in this research at ORSTOM, leaved palms with prominent crownshafts. In and two donors who wish to remain anonymous many ways, they are the quintessential palm, for providing support for Hodel's travel and work and are highly sought after by palm collectors in New Caledonia. around the world. K. magnifica has the new leaf LITERATURE CITED expanding bright red, especially when in the ju­ BECCAIlI. O. 1920. Le palme della Nuova Caledonia. Firen­ venile state; K. pyriformis often has attractive ze: M. Ricci (preprinted from Webhia 5: 71-198. PI. burgundy-colored leaf sheaths, K. piersoniorum I-X Ill. 1921.). RI\(l~U"~IIT. A. 187:~. Notice sur les palmiers de la Nou­ has tightly recurved and arching leaves with up­ velle-Caledonie. Compl. Hend. Hebd. Seances Acad, right pinnae and bright glaucous leaf sheaths. Sci. 77: :~96-402. Kentiopsis oliviformis is the most widely cultivat­ --- .~~Il A. GillS. 1864. Descriptions de quelques ed, while K. magnifica can be admired in some palmiers du genre Kentia. Rull. Soc. Rol. France 11: :~10-:~16. botanic gardens in Australia and Hawai'i The DUBIEH. U. 1906. Palmae. Bol. Jaharb. Svsr, 39: 20-22. new species are rarely cultivated, even in New IUCN. 1994. IUCN Red List Categories. Gland. Switzer­ Caledonia. An attractive group of Kentiopsis land. pyriformis, about 25 years old with 1-2 m trunks, J,IFrHE.T.. P. BIIUCltET. ANIlJ.-M. VFII.I.O~.ln press. Vulnera­ exists at the Lavoix home garden on Mt Koghi, ble and endangered plants of New Caledonia: is the sys­ lem of protected area" adequate'? Hiodiversitv and con­ where another plant of similar height is most servation. probably K. piersoniorum. Seeds of K. pyriformis ---. T.. 1'. MIIIlAT. J.-M. Vf:II.I.II~•.~~I' H. S. M.ICKFL have recently been widely distributed and 1987. Changements dalls la vegetation de la Nouvelle­ healthy seedlings are now growing in New Cale­ Caledonie au cours du Terliaire: La vegetation et la [lore donia and elsewhere. and will be a valuable or­ des roehes ultrahasiques. Bull. Mus. Nal. Hist. Nal. Paris. 4" ser.. "ection R. Adansonia :{: 27:{-288. namental addition to gardens and the landscape. --. 1'. MII'IAT. A~1l J.-M. Vf:II.I.II~. 199:t Elude [loris­ tique et phytogeographique de la [oret sclerophvlle de Acknowledgments Nouvelle-Caledonie. Bull. Mus. Naln. Hisi. Nal. Paris. The authors are grateful to Marc Dumas, 4" ser.. section B. Adansonia IS: 107-147. MIIIlAT. 1'.. J.-M. VFII.I.O~. A~1l H. S. MACI;EL 1986. Flor;'s­ Hobert Catefait, Chantal, Gilles and Jean Pier­ lie relalionships uf New Caledonian rain foresl son, Jean-Paul Tivol lier. and Theo Tonnelier, all phanerogams. Telopea 2(6): 631-679. members of Association Chambeyronia for their MIIIIHF. H. E.. JH. 1978. New genera and species of Palmae help in locating the species and with field work, from Npw Caledonia. Cenles Herb. 11(4): 291-:{09. and to Raymond Lavoix for his valuable informa­ --- .1011 N. W. Uur., 1984. The indigenous palms of New Caledouiu. Allerlonia 3(S): :324-:12.'). tion on the wild populations and cultivated spec­ PI/liS. loP. 1981. Ceologie de la Nouvelle-Caledonie. IIn imens at his father's home and in his nurseries. essui de svnthese. Memllire du B.R.G.M. n° II:~. We also thank Mr Briault of the Tourism Service 1I1/1.. N. W..~~Il J. DILl,..,SrI E1.Il. 1987. Cenera Palmarum. a of South Province for providing a helicopter for classificauon of palms based on the work of Harold E. exploration in the Port-Boise-Coro areas; Serge Moore. Jr. L. H. Bailev Hortorium and The lnremationu! Palm Societv. Alien Press. Lawrence, Kansas. USA. Blancher of Service Forestier. Bourail for help in VIEII.LIllIl. E. 1873. Elude sur les palmiers de la Nouvelle­ locating populations of K. olioiformis: Herve Caledonie. Bull. Soc. Linn. Norm. If. 6: 226-23:3.