Hodel Palms and Trees

2020

2020 Articles:

 

Calyptrogyne plumeriana, emergent above the forest canopy, Mogote Miritiro, Topes de Collantes, Trinidad, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba. © 2016 D. R. Hodel.

Based on 345 herbarium specimens and more than 25 years of field observations, the distribution of Calyptrogyne plumeriana (Arecaceae) is provided for the first time by provinces or departments for Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, as well as the biogeographic distribution by sub-provinces, sectors and districts for Cuba and Hispaniola. We also provide the most recent nomenclature for the species. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1D30D 

 

 

Stakes were inserted on trees, here Ficus sycomorus, to help keep errant turfgrass mowers and string trimmers away from tree trunks, Southeast Trees, El Dorado East Regional Park, Long Beach, California. © 2015 D. R. Hode.

Southeast Trees is a tree planting and evaluation project in southeastern Los Angeles County and adjacent areas. Part 1 is an introduction to the project and details and illustrates the initial planting on 1 December 2015 at El Dorado East Regional Park, Long Beach, California and e tree growth, progress, and challenges of the first four years at the site. https://doi.org/10.21414/B18C7K 

 

 

×Rhaphiobotrya splendens ‘Montic’, a hybrid between Rhaphiolepis indica and Eriobotrya deflexa, makes a superb street tree, Bellflower, California. (type plant, Hodel 4001). © 2020 DR Hodel.

The ornamental landscape trees in Eriobotrya, Photinia, hybrids with Rhaphiolepis, and new cultivars, all Rosaceae, in southern California are illustrated and discussed, including keys to the genera and species, their history, nomenclature and typification, description, distribution and ecology, notable specimens, and cultivation, including disease and pest management.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B14K5N 

 

 

Coccothrinax pseudorigida east of Camagüey city, Camagüey, Cuba. ©2017 D. R. Hodel.

The nomenclature, typification, and distribution for 30 taxa of the genus Coccothrinax (Arecaceae) in Cuba published 1816–1939 are reviewed and updated. Of the total of 331 types, 25 lectotypes and 247 isolectotypes are designated in second step, 4 holotypes and 2 isotypes are identified, and 5 lectotypes and 48 isolectotypes are ratified. Also, the change of authors and type of Coccothrinax crinita is argued.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B10W2C 

 

 

Ficus dammaropsis with Bino Holguín in 2020, less than three years after planting, Southeast Trees, Liberty Park, Cerritos, California. © 2020 D. R. Hodel.

Southeast Trees is a tree planting and evaluation project in city parks in southeastern Los Angeles County and adjacent regions. Part 2 describes and illustrates the initial plantings in parks in Lakewood (2018), Cerritos (2017), and Seal Beach (2018, 2019) and growth to date at the sites.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B1W30R 

 

Hemithrinax ekmaniana, limestone hill, Reserva Ecológica Mogotes de Jumagua, Sagua la Grande, Villa Clara, Cuba. © 2016 D. R. Hodel.

Based on 121 herbarium specimens and the authors’ field observations for more than 25 years of Hemithrinax (Arecaceae) in Cuba, we document its distribution by provinces or municipalities and its biogeographic distribution by sub-provinces, sectors, and districts. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1RC7X 

 

 

 

Gaussia princeps, limestone hill, Finca El Mogote, Viñales, Pinar del Río, Cuba. © 2017 D. R. Hodel.

The nomenclature, typification, and distribution of Cuban species of Colpothrinax and Gaussia are reviewed and updated, as well as the distribution of Acoelorraphe wrightii, all Arecaceae. Of the total of 103 types, one lectotype and 28 isolectotypes are designated in second step, one neotype and 34 isoneotypes are designated in second step, and one holotype and 19 isotypes are identified. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1MK50 

 

 

Anthurium roseonervium, showing reddish pink veins on the abaxial leaf blade surface. Type plant, Hodel & Hodel 4004. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

Anthurium roseonervium sect. Andiphillum (Araceae) from cultivation is named, described, and illustrated. Information is provided about its history, distinguishing characters from similar species, and cultivation outdoors in southern California. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1GW2Q 

 

 

 

Anthurium roseonervium, habit, cultivated in Lakewood, California. Type plant, Hodel & Hodel 4004. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

The probable origin of Anthurium roseonervium (Araceae), a recently published new species in sect. Andiphilum, is Tomellín Canyon in Oaxaca. We also discuss the probability of high Anthurium species diversity and the possibility of new discoveries in México. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1C303  

 

 

 

 

Judy and Bob Burtscher stand next to the stems of Dypsis burtscherorum in their garden, Fullerton, California. Hodel 3999 (type). © 2020 D. R. Hodel.

Dypsis burtscherorum (Arecaceae), a new species from cultivation, is named, described, and illustrated. https://doi.org/10.21414/B17C78  

 

 

 

 

Marianne Hodel provides scale for the striking, exceedingly large, tropical-looking leaves of Itoa orientalis at The Arboretum (1978-0401-S*1), Arcadia, California. © 2020 D. R. Hodel.

Itoa orientalis (Salicaceae) at The Arboretum in Arcadia, California, is discussed and illustrated. Information provided includes its history, taxonomy, nomenclature, a description, distribution and ecology, conservation status, and its cultivation at The Arboretum and at other national and international locales and pest management. Also, we lectotypified a specimen at K.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B13K5B 

 

 

 

Banana moths have attacked the new growth on this king palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana)i Orange, California. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

The banana moth (Opogona sacchari) has become a serious pest of several palm species in southern California. Here we provide an overview of the pest, including identification, biology, damage, hosts, and management strategies. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1ZW22  

 

 

 

Olive tree in Lakewood, California showing classic symptoms of leaf scorch and branch dieback, which is not caused by Xylella. © 2014 D. R. Hodel.

Research and peer-reviewed publications have shown that, while Xylella fastidiosa subsp. multiplex is often recovered from affected olive trees, it is weakly pathogenic and is not the cause of these leaf and branch diseases and death. In fact, a complex of several fungi are the primary culprits causing olive tree leaf scorch, twig and branch dieback, and death in California.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B1V30F 

 

 

Paul Santos ascends into the canopy of a Mexican fan palm (Washingtonia robusta) in west Los Angeles with older leaves showing symptoms of Fusarium wilt of queen palm and Mexican fan palm. © 2019 D. R Hodel.

A new form of Fusarium wilt disease, which attacks multiple species of palms (Arecaceae), has been documented and confirmed on Mexican fan palms (Washingtonia robusta) in California. We compare it to the original Fusarium wilt disease of Canary Island date palms (Phoenix canariensis) and provide information about its history, symptoms and diagnosis, hosts and range, and management strategies.  https://doi.org/10.21414/B1QC7M 

 

These orange ovals are immature Ficus leaf-rolling psyllids immersed in shallow pits and will likely not develop further because that portion of the leaf has finished rolling, leaving them exposed and unprotected, Carson, California. © 2016 D. R. Hodel.

 

Here we provide an illustrated overview of the Ficus leaf-rolling psyllid (FLRP), the results of a one-year study investigating its interaction with its host tree Ficus microcarpa and the host’s growth response, its history, description, natural history, damage, and a discussion of management strategies. The FLRP exclusively attacks the newest developing leaves, typically within five to eight days of emergence, because they are softer, more pliable, and roll more readily. Host trees produced random flushes of new leaves from late February to early November but we were unable to determine predictors of these flushes. In our study of three trees, annual mean shoot growth ranged from 16 to 59 cm while annual mean leaf production per shoot ranged from 20 to 31, and 28 to 30% (just under one-third) of all leaves produced were attacked. The FLRP had two periods of rapid population growth: one in March and one in June. FLRP population growth coincided with spring leaf growth flushes but the population leveled off and declined in the summer and fall, irrespective of temperature and late-season leaf growth. No correlation existed between a suite of nearly a dozen weather factors and four major host/FLRP interactions. Host leaf drop was highly concentrated in late fall but was not correlated with FLRP activity. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1KK5P 

 

Euphorbia pit scale (Planchonia stentae) on the abaxial surface of the leaf of Plumeria rubra, Whittier, California. Note the purplish red halos around the pest. © 2020 D. R. Hodel.

Euphorbia or South African pit scale, Planchonia stentae, can cause unsightly damage on several plants, including Plumeria. Here we provide an overview of this pest, including its history, damage, description, hosts, and management, mostly as it relates to Plumeria rubra. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1FW2D 

 

The holotype of Chamaedorea ferruginea, Schultes 905, at BH. The lectotypified staminate inflorescence is on the right and the Reinhardtia leaf, now an excluded syntype, is on the left. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

The holotype of Chamaedorea ferruginea (Arecaceae) is a mixed specimen, composed of a staminate inflorescence of C. ferruginea (synonym of C. liebmannii) and a leaf of Reinhardtia sp.; thus, the type is really two syntypes. I lectotypified the staminate inflorescence only as that is the genus to which this species was originally assigned. The leaf of Reinhardtia is an excluded syntype. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1B59W 

 

 

 

Marianne Hodel and just planted Ficus pleurocarpa, Satellite Park, Cerritos, California. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

Southeast Trees is a tree planting and evaluation project in southeastern Los Angeles County and adjacent areas. Here we detail and illustrate trees recently planted at Satellite Park in Cerritos, California. https://doi.org/10.21414/B16C7Z  

 

 

 

 

The spider web masses on the Ficus microcarpa trapped and held dead twigs, leaves, old figs, dust and other particles, and numerous insects and other arthropods, Windsor Park, Santana, California. © 2020 D. R. Hodel.

We investigated an unusual phenomenon where large web masses composed of spider webs, leaves, and twigs riddled several large Ficus microcarpa trees in a park in Santa Ana, California. We determined that various spider species were attracted to the trees because of the heavy load of various pests that provided ample prey and food for the spiders. Despite their unsightliness, the webs are likely a good indication of biological control. https://doi.org/10.21414/B12P4P 

 

Marianne Hodel with just planted Ficus natalensis, Southeast Trees, Palms Park, Lakewood, California. © 2020 D. R Hodel.

Southeast Trees is a tree planting and evaluation in southeastern Los Angeles County and adjacent areas. Here we detail and illustrate recent tree plantings at Palms Park in Lakewood, California. https://doi.org/10.21414/B1XW2R