''Dypsis decaryi'', commonly known as the triangle palm, is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

in the

Arecaceae The Arecaceae () is a family (biology), family of perennial plant, perennial, flowering plants in the Monocotyledon, monocot order Arecales. Their growth form can be climbing palm, climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly k ...

family.

Naming and taxonomy

This species' scientific name is ''Dypsis decaryi'' and it is a member of the

family. Its common name is triangle palm, owing to the triangular shape of the trunk formed by the growth of its

frond A frond is a large, divided leaf. In both common usage and botanical nomenclature, the leaves of ferns are referred to as fronds and some botanists restrict the term to this group. Other botanists allow the term frond to also apply to the lar ...

Distribution

''Dypsis decaryi'' is indigenous to the Madagascar rainforest.

Description

Some specimens grow to a height of some in the wild; however, it is relatively new to cultivation, so outside its native habitat it rarely achieves anything like that height. It grows well in containers. The leaves are about in length, growing almost upright from the trunk and arching gracefully outward about a metre from their tips. The leaf bases are arranged in three vertical columns set about 120 degrees apart on the main stem, forming a triangular shape in cross section. This shape has given rise to the palm's common name. The

inflorescence In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...

s branch out from the

axil A leaf (: leaves) is a principal appendage of the stem of a vascular plant, usually borne laterally above ground and specialized for photosynthesis. Leaves are collectively called foliage, as in "autumn foliage", while the leaves, stem, fl ...

s of the lower leaves. They produce yellow and green flowers that later produce round black fruit about in diameter.

Uses

The palm is a fine ornamental plant and is most valuable as a specimen tree or accent plant when grown out in the open to display show its remarkable shape to best advantage. In suitable climates it blooms all year. What with its colourful flowers and fruit and shapely

habit A habit (or wont, as a humorous and formal term) is a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. A 1903 paper in the '' American Journal of Psychology'' defined a "habit, from the standpoint of psychology, ...

, it is unusually showy for a palm. It prefers full sun and regular watering, although it is not vulnerable to occasional dryness and partial shade. Over-watering and poor drainage are far greater hazards than drought. For example, the palm is best suited to well drained sandy soil. ''Dypsis decaryi'' does not transplant well, so it is a bad choice for commercial field growing. However, it is a fast grower once established, and its seed normally germinates within a month of being planted, so propagation by seed is a good option.

Threatened status

Although this species is now commonly cultivated in a variety of climates, there are only about 1,000 individuals left in its native habitat of a small area in Andohahela National Park, southern Madagascar. It is threatened both by fire and the harvesting of its seeds for export.

Gallery

Image:DypsisDecaryi.jpg, Dypsis decaryi MHNT.BOT.2019.18.3.jpg, ''Dypsis decaryi'' - MHNT File:三角椰子 Dypsis decaryi 20210402190205.jpg, New branch growing from a leaf

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q1054565 decaryi Endemic flora of Madagascar Vulnerable plants Taxa named by Henri Lucien Jumelle