Dypsis trapezoidea

*Dypsis trapezoidea* is a small, solitary palm from a restricted wet-forest site in eastern Madagascar. Its broad, nearly trapezoid leaflets distinguish it from related understory palms; Kew accepts the species and records its native range near Mt. Vatovavy. [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:985395-1/general-information) and the [Palmweb account reproduced by Palmpedia](https://palmpedia.net/wiki/Dypsis_trapezoidea) describe a forest-understory plant rather than a canopy palm. ## Form and siting The palm is solitary and slender, with a short stem and widely spaced leaflets whose tips appear clipped or notched. Its natural habitat is primary lowland forest on a steep rocky slope. Use it as a small collector specimen in a sheltered, humid garden or protected container setting; it is not a substitute for a large shade tree. ## Growing conditions No reliable species-specific cultivation recipe is published. Its wet-tropical forest origin suggests warmth, steady moisture, and a freely draining, humus-rich rooting medium, but these are habitat-based starting points rather than tested horticultural requirements. Protect it from cold and prolonged drying while keeping water moving through the root zone. ## Maintenance Keep the crown clear of competing plants and remove only dead foliage. Because the species is known from a very limited locality and is listed as critically endangered, choose propagated nursery stock and avoid wild-collected plants.