Phenakospermum

Phenakospermum is a monotypic genus in the family Strelitziaceae. Only one species is recognized, Phenakospermum guyannense, native to Surinam, French Guyane and the eastern Amazon River basin. This plant grows to over 10 m in height but can be felled with a single blow with a machete.

Phenakospermum
Phenakospermum guyannense at Berlin-Dahlem Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Zingiberales
Family: Strelitziaceae
Genus: Phenakospermum
Endl.
Species:
P. guyannense
Binomial name
Phenakospermum guyannense
(A.Rich.) Endl. ex Miq.
Synonyms[1]

Musidendron amazonicum (Mart.) Nakai
Phenakospermum amazonicum (Mart.) Miq.
Ravenala guyannensis (A.Rich.) Steud.
Urania amazonica Mart.
Urania guyannensis A.Rich.

Although not as prized as the ornamental Traveler's palm (in the same family), P. guyannense is used locally in Brazil as a landscape element. The broad leaves are used to wrap fish in Benevides, Brazil, especially when Calathea leaves (Marantaceae) are not available.

Previously, this genus was included in the now exclusively Old World genus Ravenala.

References
  1. "Phenakospermum guyannense (A.Rich.) Endl. ex Miq.". World Checklist of Selected Plant Families (WCSP). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 August 2013 – via The Plant List.
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