Cyrtostachys renda Blume

Etymology Genus Arched spikes, referring to the curving flower spikes
Species After the Malay name for palm
Family Arecaceae
Synonyms Cyrtostachys lakka Becc.
Common Names Lipstick Palm, Sealing Wax Palm
Status Native: Critically Endangered
Form Multi-stem palm
Native Distribution Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, and Borneo

Diagnostics:

Cyrtostachys renda can be easily identified by its multi-stem form and reddish crown-shaft and leaf-stalks.


Interesting Facts:

The Lipstick Palm is the 3rd most abundant palm being cultivated in Singapore, according to a botanical survey within 5 towns which I conducted in 2011. Because of its attractiveness, it is normally grown at points of entry. A freshwater swamp forest species, it was thought be be locally extinct till a recent rediscovery in the Western Catchment area (Loo et al., 2014).


Form of the Lipstick Palm.

Crown-shaft is reddish.

Entire length of the petiole to the mid-vein is reddish.

The inflorescence spikes.

References

Loo AHB, Ang WF, Baker WJ & HTW Tan (2014) A Guide to the Native Palms of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, Singapore. 174 pp.


Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-07-18 / Modified: 2017-12-25


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