Spathelia simplex
| Spathelia simplex | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Rutaceae |
| Genus: | Spathelia |
| Species: | S. simplex
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spathelia simplex | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Spathelia simplex, commonly called mountain pride or maypole tree, is a "palmoid" or "corner model tree" of the rainforest of Jamaica. It is in the citrus family (Rutaceae).[2] Although the unbranched trunk may be up to fifty feet (fifteen meters) in height, it is rarely over three inches (eight cm) diameter at breast height.[3] It is a monocarpic species (flowers and fruits once, then dies) producing a huge terminal thyrse of red flowers up to five feet (1.5 meters) high by up to eight feet (2.5 meters) in width;[4] exceeded only by Harmsiopanax ingens and Sohnreyia excelsa. The once-pinnate leaves are up to five feet (1.5 meters) long.
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Spathelia simplex L." Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2025-05-24.
- ^ Wilson, Percy (1911). "Notes on Rutaceae—VI. Species of Spathelia". Torreya. 11 (12). Torrey Botanical Society: 262–264. ISSN 0096-3844. JSTOR 40595161. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
- ^ Menninger, Edwin A Hon.D.Sc. (1967). Fantastic Trees. New York: Viking Press. p. 166.
- ^ Cowan, Richard S.; Brizicky, George K. (April 30, 1960). "Taxonomic Relationships of Diomma". Memoires of the New York Botanic Garden. 10 (2): 64.
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