Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)

Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae) is a widespread and highly variable species. This study investigates morphological variability and ethnobotanical uses throughout the entire range (Torres Strait Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga) of the species. The morphological characters studied are hig...

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Main Author: Keppel, Gunnar
Format: Journal Article
Published: CSIRO Publishing 2009
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30801
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author Keppel, Gunnar
author_facet Keppel, Gunnar
author_sort Keppel, Gunnar
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae) is a widespread and highly variable species. This study investigates morphological variability and ethnobotanical uses throughout the entire range (Torres Strait Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga) of the species. The morphological characters studied are highly variable among populations and unrelated to genetic differences. Characters are also more variable than previously assumed and because of this we provide an updated, detailed taxonomic description of Cycas seemannii based on extensive morphometric data, fieldwork and herbarium specimens. The plant is of great cultural importance in Vanuatu, its seeds are utilised as a source of starch and it is a widely cultivated ornamental. Possible consequences of the plant's decreasing cultural importance are discussed.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-308012017-09-13T15:51:04Z Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae) Keppel, Gunnar morphology Cycas taxonomy morphometrics ethnobotany Cycas seemannii (Cycadaceae) is a widespread and highly variable species. This study investigates morphological variability and ethnobotanical uses throughout the entire range (Torres Strait Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji and Tonga) of the species. The morphological characters studied are highly variable among populations and unrelated to genetic differences. Characters are also more variable than previously assumed and because of this we provide an updated, detailed taxonomic description of Cycas seemannii based on extensive morphometric data, fieldwork and herbarium specimens. The plant is of great cultural importance in Vanuatu, its seeds are utilised as a source of starch and it is a widely cultivated ornamental. Possible consequences of the plant's decreasing cultural importance are discussed. 2009 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30801 10.1071/SP09004 CSIRO Publishing fulltext
spellingShingle morphology
Cycas
taxonomy
morphometrics
ethnobotany
Keppel, Gunnar
Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title_full Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title_fullStr Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title_full_unstemmed Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title_short Morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of Cycas seemannii A. Braun (Cycadaceae)
title_sort morphological variation, an expanded description and ethnobotanical evaluation of cycas seemannii a. braun (cycadaceae)
topic morphology
Cycas
taxonomy
morphometrics
ethnobotany
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/30801