Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata, commonly known as the slender joey or the narrow-leafed umbrella palm is a species of palm in the family Arecaceae. It was first described 1972 by John Dransfield.[2] The slender joey is endemic to Malaysia, where it is referred to by the local Orang Asli communities as chica.
| Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Tribe: | Trachycarpeae |
| Genus: | Johannesteijsmannia |
| Species: | J. lanceolata
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| Binomial name | |
| Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata J.Dransf.
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Description
editJohannesteijsmannia lanceolata is a medium-sized palm that grows in the understory with lance-shaped leaves and no visible stem. It grows to a maximum 3.5 metres (11 ft) in height, with the crown of the plant growing to a maximum width of 5 metres (16 ft).[3] The plant has no visible trunk, referred to as acaulescent in form, as the trunk is underground.[3] The trunk is solitary and has leaf scars if visible.[3] The leaf sheath is fibrous, around 25 centimetres (9.8 in), withering to form a brown network of fibres.[4]
The large glossy leaves, lamina, of the plant are 3.5 metres (11 ft) in length and has a width of 30 centimetres (12 in).[1] Compared to related species, the leaves of the Slender Joey are narrower.[1] The fronds are lance-shaped, the undersides are covered in soft brown scales, and the margins of the leaves are lined with small sharp teeth.[3] The leaves are covered in brown, scurfy scales along the midrib, primary nerves, and underside. The petiole of the leaves have two yellow stripes.[4] The leaves of the palm were used by local Indigenous peoples for roof thatching. Due to the rarity of the palm, this is only done during celebration feasts.[1]
The inflorescence has three to six branches. The flowers are creamy white in colour and with broad, papillate petals are 1 millimetre (0.039 in) in length and are described as "very thick".[1] The sweetly scented flowers attract insects such as black ants, flies (Cecidomyiidae and Phoridae), and stingless bees (Trigona sp.).[1] These insect pollinators facilitate the autogamy (self-pollination) of the flowers.[1]
The fruits are globular, reddish-brown in colour, and covered in short warts.[1] The fruits can grow up to 3.4 centimetres (1.3 in) in diameter.[1] The period from flowering to fruiting takes about fourteen to fifteen months.[1] Compared to the other members of the genus Johannesteijsmannia, it produces few seeds, making it harder to find than its relatives.[1][5]
Range
editThe slender joey is endemic to Malaysia.[3][1] It is found in the states of Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, and Selangor.[6][1][5] The plant has an extremely limited distribution, being restricted to the Sungei Lalang watershed in the Malay Peninsula.[4]
Habitat
editThe slender joey is found in river valleys, but only in sites with well drainage.[4] Some specimens were found growing in logged forest areas.[1]
Human interactions
editThe slender joey is used by the local Orang Asli communities for roof thatching, known as atap.[5] In Selangor (Donglai, Lalang Baru, Serendah), it is collected once every six or more months. In Negeri Sembilan (Ulu Kelaka), it is collected rarely, only during kenduri.[5]
Conservation
editUnder the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List 3.1 criteria, the slender joey is listed as Endangered. It was designated as such due to its endemicity and its limited extent of occurrence,[1] as well as the small population size. In its largest subpopulation, it is numbered at 250 individuals.[1]
It is threatened by illegal poaching and seed collection due to the commercialization of members of its genus as ornamentals.[5] It is also threatened by the conversion of forest habitat into palm-oil plantations and rubber farms, dam building, highway construction, and logging.[5]
Under the provisions of the Customs (Prohibition of Export) Order 1998, the slender joey is banned from being exported overseas.[1] Collection of the plant and its seeds are allowed with permissions granted from the relevant authorities.[1]
It is recommended that the slender joey is domestication to reduce the pressure of wild seed collection. To ensure sustainability of the populations, increasing ex-situ planting of the palm and protection of the existing populations and habitats is recommended.[1]
Etymology
editThe genus name honours Johannes Elias Teijsmann, a botanist formerly working at the Buitenzorg Botanical Gardens, currently known as the Bogor Botanical Gardens.[1][4] The specific epithet, lanceolata, means "lance-shaped", and refers to the lance-shaped fronds that the tree has.[3][1][4]
It is commonly known by in the states of Selangor and Negeri Sembilan as the Slender Joey Palm,[1] it is also known as the Narrow-leafed Umbrella palm in English.[3] In the Malay language it is called chica in Selangor and Negeri Sembilan,[1][5] in Johor it is referred to as payung, which refers to all four Johannesteijsmannia members found in the state.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w Tan, Kok Kiat; Lee, Su See (31 May 2020). "Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata J. Dransf". Malaysia Biodiversity Information System. Malaysia Biodiversity Centre. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ "Tropicos | Name - Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata J. Dransf". legacy.tropicos.org. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
- ^ a b c d e f g "NParks | Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata". Flora and Fauna Web. National Parks Board. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Slik, JWF. "Johannesteijsmannia lanceolata". Plants of Southeast Asia. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Saw, Leng Guan; Chan, Yoke Mui (January 2009). "The Uses of Johannesteijsmannia by Indigenous Communities and the Current Ornamental Trade in the Genus". Palms. 53 (3): 147–152. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Chan, Yoke Mui; Chua, Lilian Swee Lian; Saw, Leng Guan (January 2011). "Towards the conservation of Malaysian Johannesteijsmannia (Palmae)". Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore. 63 (1 & 2). Forest Research Institute Malaysia. Retrieved 25 April 2022.