Arecaceae FAMILY

Desmoncus chinantlensis

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

In their native habitat these plants are a constant menace to a person traveling through the forests, because the stems often dangle loosely from the supporting trees, and the long whiplike leaf tips with their sharp rigid spines inflict painful wounds and are dangerous to the eyes[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].

Botanical Description

Desmoncus chinantlensis is a spiny, evergreen, climbing palm producing one or more stems that can be 25 metres or more long. The vigorous, unbranched stems can be 25 - 50mm in diameter, they scramble into the surrounding vegetation and can climb to the tops of the forest trees[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ , 771 Title A Revision of Desmoncus (Arecaceae) Publication Phytotaxa 35; 1-88 Author Henderson A. Website http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ Publisher Magnolia Press; Auckland Year 2011 ISBN 978-1-86977-839-2 Description A good description of each species with fairly detailed notes on habitat. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The stems are commonly gathered from the wild for local use in making baskets and other items. These items are sometimes sold in local markets[ 659 Title Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 8 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass. Year 1940 ISBN Description Various articles on botany, including species of Saurauia in Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeC. America - Nicaragua to southern Mexico.

HabitatLowland rain forests, often in limestone areas, at elevations up to 550 metres[ 659 Title Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 8 Publication Author Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Harvard University; Cambridge, Mass. Year 1940 ISBN Description Various articles on botany, including species of Saurauia in Mexico. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 771 Title A Revision of Desmoncus (Arecaceae) Publication Phytotaxa 35; 1-88 Author Henderson A. Website http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ Publisher Magnolia Press; Auckland Year 2011 ISBN 978-1-86977-839-2 Description A good description of each species with fairly detailed notes on habitat. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].