Geonoma polyandra

Geonoma polyandra
Skov

Original
reference:
Nordic J. Bot 14: 39 (1994)

Morphology:
Understorey palm. Stem solitary, 50-250 cm tall, 2.5-5 cm in diameter. Leaf blade 80-100 cm long, nearly regularly divided into 12-20 pinnae on each side. Inflorescence unbranched; peduncle 50-65 cm long; spike 15-35 cm long and ca. 1 cm in diameter, carrot coloured in fruit. Male flowers with 10-12 stamens with short, free thecae borne on a long connective that is jointed to the filament. Female flowers with staminodes free nearly to base, spreading at anthesis. Fruit black, 6-10 mm in diameter.

Distribution:
W Amazon region in Colombia and Ecuador. Frequent on well drained soil.

Notes:
The only Geonoma species in Ecuador with more than six stamens. Otherwise the flowers are similar to those of G. macrostachys.

Conservation
status: Lower risk/least concern
(Borchsenius & Skov 1999)

Common
names:
Dédé-bui
–
Siona
(H. Balslev #4335 ).

Dere-pui
–
Siona
(H. Balslev #4301 ).

Dí-dí
–
Siona
(H. Balslev #4777 ).

Huasipanga
–
Quichua
(H. Balslev #4301 ).

Tsao´´ he´´tsi
–
Cofán
(H.V. Pinkley #520 ).

Uses:

Fruits are eaten by trumpeter birds, Sophia crepitans
(H. Balslev #62066 ).

Leaves are used for thatch
(H. Balslev #4301 and additional references).

Leaves are used to cover recently killed animals
(H. Balslev #4777 ).