If you would like to support this site, please consider Donating.
Useful Tropical Plants

Desmoncus horridus

Splitg. ex Mart.

Arecaceae


There has been considerable confusion in deciding species limits within this genus. Many authorities in the past have viewed Desmoncus as being made up of a number of very localized and similar endemic species, with estimations of total species ranging as high as 60 or more. Most modern treatments have considerably reduced this number - some treatments having reduced it to as low as 7. However, we are following the treatment in 'A Revision of Desmoncus (Arecaceae)' Henderson A., Phytotaxa 35; 1-88 2011, which recognizes 24 species[
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.
,
768
Title
Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
Publication
 
Author
Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
Publisher
Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-691-08537-4
Description
An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
,
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.
,
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Atitara cuyabaensis (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr.

Atitara horrida (Splitg. ex Mart.) Kuntze

Atitara macrocarpa (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr.

Atitara major (Crueg. ex Griseb.) Kuntze

Atitara palustris (Trail) Kuntze

Atitara prostrata (Lindm.) Barb.Rodr.

Atitara rudenta (Mart.) Barb.Rodr.

Desmoncus angustisectus Burret.

Desmoncus apureanus L.H.Bailey

Desmoncus brittonii L.H.Bailey

Desmoncus cuyabaensis Barb.Rodr.

Desmoncus demeraranus L.H.Bailey & H.E.Moore

Desmoncus hartii L.H.Bailey

Desmoncus luetzelburgii Burret.

Desmoncus macrocarpus Barb.Rodr.

Desmoncus major Crueg. ex Griseb.

Desmoncus melanacanthos Mart. ex Drude

Desmoncus multijugus Steyerm.

Desmoncus orthacanthos trailianus Drude

Desmoncus palustris Trail

Desmoncus prostratus Lindm.

Desmoncus rudentum Mart.

Desmoncus tobagonis L.H.Bailey

Desmoncus velezii L.H.Bailey

Common Name:

Desmoncus horridus

General Information

Desmoncus horridus is a spiny, evergreen, climbing palm growing 2 - 15 metres tall. The plant produces a cluster of unbranched stems from 12 - 48mm in diameter that scramble into the surrounding vegetation[
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 plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of material for making baskets etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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.

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - Trinidad, Tobago.

Habitat

Open places in coastal areas, often along the margins of rivers; gallery forests; shrubby savannah; at elevations up to 305 metres[
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.
].

Properties

HabitEvergreen Climber
Height10.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems are used in basket making[
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.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-04-27. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Desmoncus+horridus>

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.