Pseudophoenix ekmanii is a palm species endemic to the Barahona Peninsula and Isla Beata in the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.[2]

Pseudophoenix ekmanii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Pseudophoenix
Species:
P. ekmanii
Binomial name
Pseudophoenix ekmanii

Names

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In Dominican Spanish, P. ekmanii is known as cacheo or cacheo de Oviedo.[3][4] In English, the species is usually referred to as the Dominican cherry palm.[5]

Description

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It is a small tree (4 to 6 m tall), with pinnately compound leaves and solitary, swollen stems. The fruit are reddish with a diameter of about 2 cm.[6]

Conservation

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P. ekmanii was once used in palm wine production. Trees were cut down and the pith extracted, especially from the swollen portion of the stem. The sap was then extracted and fermented.[3][6] As a consequence of this cutting for palm wine production, the species is considered Critically Endangered. Current threats include habitat loss from grazing and agriculture.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Johnson, D. (1998). "Pseudophoenix ekmanii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 1998: e.T38659A10142264. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38659A10142264.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Pseudophoenix ekmanii". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
  3. ^ a b Haynes, Jody; John McLaughlin (November 2000). "Edible Palms and Their Uses" (PDF). Fact Sheet MDCE-00-50-1. University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-12-10. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  4. ^ Palm and Cycad Society of Florida. "Pseudophoenix ekmanii". Archived from the original on 2006-12-16. Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  5. ^ Palm and Cycad Society of Australia. "Palms: Pseudophoenix ekmanii". Retrieved 2007-01-17.
  6. ^ a b Henderson, Andrew; Gloria Galeano; Rodrigo Bernal (1995). Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08537-4.
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