Pelagodoxa henryana
14 January
Pelagodoxa henryana
The only member in the genus Pelagodoxa (monotypic genus) and native to the Marquesas islands with small populations found in French Polynesia. Pelagodoxa henryana seeds don’t disperse well in water and are too large to be carried by birds and with a high susceptibility to fungal attacks and disease in its early stages of development theses problems coupled with human encroachment, pushed population of Pelagodoxa henryana to be so small it’s considered Critically Endangered in the wild earning it an “CR” status by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and making it one of the most sought-after palms for collectors growing as a solitary palm reaching heights of 40 feet. It’s leaves can grow to be 9 feet long and 3 feet wide and alternating directly opposite to each other (pinnately ribbed), the seeds may have been used for a food scouse food source or famine food anthropogenic sites may suggest a food source or famine food.