Ethnobotany, morpho-anatomy and phytogeography of useful palm (Arecaceae) species from Ivory Coast, with emphasis in rattan genera

This work consists in a multidisciplinary study on the Ivory Coast useful palm species. For 13 palm taxa is presented a morphological description, data on ecology, distribution, common and vernacular names, uses and notes on their conservation. 49 herbarium samples were gathered from 11 species, which represents the most important palm collection ever carried out in the country. An anatomical study on the African rattan stems was carried out. Six species, grouped in 3 genera (Calamus, Eremospatha, and Laccosperma), and one central African taxon (Oncocalamus mannii) were analyzed. An in-depth study of vessel anatomy in the African subtribe Ancistrophyllinae and an identification key are proposed. Anatomical stem characters in relation with rattan cane quality were analyzed in order to propose trading species. This multidisciplinary study represents the base for further studies on Ivorian palms that will hopefully enable to preserve, and increase, the high potential palm resources of this country