Metroxylon vitiense

Metroxylon vitiense
illustration circa 1870[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Metroxylon
Species:
M. vitiense
Binomial name
Metroxylon vitiense
(H. Wendland)
H. Wendland ex Bentham & Hooker f.

Metroxylon vitiense (vitiense - originating in Fiji, also known as the Fiji sago palm) is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae, endemic to the islands of Fiji (hence its specific name vitiense, "of Viti", meaning Fiji in Fijian), Ovalau, and Vanua Levu in Fiji. There is only one confirmed occurrence of M. vitiense on Vanua Levu, just outside Savusavu.[4] Despite it being considered a threatened species by the IUCN, as of February 2013 M. vitiense was still unprotected by Fijian regulations and international legislation.[5] It has also been reported from the nearby islands of Wallis and Futuna.[6]

Metroxylon vitiense, like many species of Metroxylon, has previously been classified under the genera Coelococcus and Sagus. M. vitiense was previously classified as Coelococcus vitiensis (H. Wendl. ex Seem.) and Sagus vitiensis (H. Wendl. ex Seem.), although these are now non-preferred scientific names.[7] The palm is also known by the following names in Fiji: soga, sogo, seko, and niu soria.[8]

  1. ^ Illustration of Sagus vitiense (now known as Metroxylon vitiense) by Walter Fitch from Flora Vitiensis: A description of the plants of the Viti or Fiji Islands, with an account of their history, uses, and properties (vol. 2) (p.166) by Berthold Carl Seemann (1867-1873).
  2. ^ Tikoca, S.; Rivers, M.C. (2017). "Metroxylon vitiense". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T177604A1494240. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T177604A1494240.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  3. ^ Watling, Dick (1 July 2008). "Fiji Sago Palm Metroxylon vitiense - Background Information" (PDF). Nature Fiji - Mareqeti Viti. Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  4. ^ Watling, Dick. "Metroxylon vitiense". Nature Fiji - Mareqeti Viti. Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  5. ^ Morrison, Clare; Rounds, Isaac; Watling, Dick (May 2012). "Conservation and Management of the Endangered Fiji Sago Palm, Metroxylon vitiense, in Fiji". Environmental Management. 49 (5): 929–941. Bibcode:2012EnMan..49..929M. doi:10.1007/s00267-012-9836-3. hdl:10072/46942. PMID 22441695. S2CID 6515293.
  6. ^ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  7. ^ McClatchey, Will; Manner, Harley I.; Elevitch, Craig R. (April 2006). Elevitch, Craig R. (ed.). "Metroxylon amicarum, M. paulcoxii, M. sagu, M. salomonense, M. vitiense, and M. warburgii (sago palm), ver. 2.1" (PDF). Species Profiles for Pacific Island Agroforestry. Hōlualoa, Hawai'i: Permanent Agriculture Resources (PAR). Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  8. ^ Foster, Sophie (20 June 2008). "Indigenous palm vulnerable". The Fiji Times. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2013.