Basselinia gracilis
Species of flowering plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Basselinia gracilis is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is a palm tree endemic to New Caledonia.
| Basselinia gracilis | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Basselinia |
| Species: | B. gracilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Basselinia gracilis | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Synonymy
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Basselinia gracilis was first described in 1864, and received its current name in 1873. The IUCN lists the species as endangered. It is used in horticulture.
Taxonomy
Basselinia gracilis was first described in 1864, as Kentia gracilis, by Adolphe-Théodore Brongniart and Jean Antoine Arthur Gris. The species has been placed in several genera, including Clinostigma and Cyphokentia. Its current name was first published in 1873.[2]
Distribution
Basselinia gracilis is native to the wet tropical biome,[2] and is endemic to New Caledonia. It grows in two locations in the north-east of Grande Terre. Its extent of occurrence is 8 square kilometres (3.1 sq mi).[1]
The species grows in humid forests, on schist soils, at altitudes of 500–1,000 metres (1,600–3,300 ft).[1]
Description
Basselinia gracilis is a small palm tree.[1]
Uses
Conservation
In 2016, the IUCN assessed as Basselinia gracilis as Endangered. The species is threatened by rats, which destroy its seeds, and wild pigs, which damage its habitat. The sale of seeds to the horticultural trade may also be a threat.[1]
