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Jubaeopsis caffra (Pondo Coconut)
Pondokokospalm [Afrikaans]
Life
> eukaryotes >
Archaeoplastida >
Chloroplastida
>
Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants)
> Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants)
> Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering
plants)
> Monocotyledons > Order: Arecales > Family: Arecaceae
This is the only species in its genus and is endemic to
Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, where it is found along the Mtentu
and Msikaba rivers. It can grow to 8 m tall but normally it is less than 5 m.
The pinnate leaves are about 3-4 m long and look similar to those of Phoenix
reclinata but without spines at the base. Fruit are almost round, about 2 cm
in diameter and resemble miniature coconuts with a fibrous outer covering and
the inside containing white 'meat' and a small amount of milk. They also taste
similar to coconuts and despite being so small, are eaten by local people.
References
Text by Hamish Robertson |
