Medemia

Abstract: The Borassoid palms (tribe Borasseae of subfamily Coryphoideae) represent a well circumscribed apparently monophyletic group of dioecious palms with induplicately palmate-leaves, that are divisible into two discrete, morphologically rather uniform subtribes, Lataniinae and Hyphaeninae (Uhl & Dransfield 1987). Generic delimitation within the two subtribes is clear and for the most part not controversial. Lataniinae comprises four genera, Borassus, Borassodendron, Latania and Lodoicea, and Hyphaeninae three genera, Hyphaene, Bismarckia and Medemia. The genera are easily keyed out on reproductive features and these are correlated with striking morphological features that allow the genera to be separated when sterile. The differences between the genera are discussed in detail by Uhl & Dransfield (1987). In Lataniinae all the genera are familiar palms now widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics. In Hyphaeninae two genera, Bismarckia (monotypic) and Hyphaene (with about ten species), are also familiar cultivated palms although the species of Hyphaene remain poorly circumscribed and difficult to name (see Dransfield 1986). The third genus, Medemia, with one or possibly two species, is known from a few herbarium specimens collected from southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Once familiar to the ancient Egyptians, it is now extremely rare if not already extinct. It was last reported in the field from southern Egypt in 1963 (Boulos 1965). Attempts to mount an expedition to refind it in 1992 were abandoned for lack of funds Johnson, pers. comm.). Despite no living material being available for study, Medemia is well represented in herbaria and the palm is surprisingly well circumscribed and instantly identifiable because of the lack of petiolar spines, the lack of an adaxial hastula at the base of the lamina and the ruminate endosperm. The only area of possible contention in the delimitation of genera in the Borasseae involves the genera of the Hyphaeninae. When the palm now known as Medemia argun was first described it was included by Martius (1845) in Hyphaene as Hyphaene argun. Bismarckia nobilis, endemic to Madagascar, was first described in that genus but was subsequently included by some authors in Medemia as M. nobilis. However, Bismarckia is now widely accepted as a monotypic genus, distinct

Abstract: Environmental Impact Assessment Studies (EIA) for four developmental projects were chosen for this study viz-a-viz., oil and gas, river diversion, hydropower and gold mining. The EIA studies for these activities have been conducted in three different ecological regions: the flood region in the former southern Sudan, low rainfall Savannah and desert region. Trees, shrubs and herbaceous species were identified and recorded in each region. Species encountered for the first time, endangered, invasive and increasers were also reported. The EIA studies have produced lists of natural flora in areas which were difficult to access without the EIA missions. During the EIA study for Jonglei Canal project the new mono specific genus Suddia sagitifolia was discovered in the flood region as the only endemic aquatic plant in Sudan. Within the same region, the smallest floating plant in Sudan (Wollfia hyaline) was reported. The critically endangered “Argon Palm” (Medemia argun) was encountered in the Nubian Desert of the Red Sea State during a gold mining EIA study. The Seha (Belpharis persica), not reported to exist in desert conditions, has been found in the Great Desert west of the Nile during an EIA study for Kajbar Hydropower project. The paper calls for the publication of the above findings and highlights the need for further detailed studies in order to enhance knowledge of the Sudanese biodiversity status.

Abstract: Medemia argun is a mysterious and little known monotypic fan palm from the Nubian Desert Oases of southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Its fruits have been found in the tombs from the 5th Dynasty (ca. 2500 BC) to Roman times (6-7th century AD), including the celebrated tomb of Tutankhamun. In ancient Egypt, the fruits of this palm were widely distributed and were highly valued, as confirmed by their frequent occurrence in offerings in the tombs. In order to elucidate the chemical composition of the phenolic fraction, phytochemical investigation of the BuOH extract of fruits was carried out to afford eight compounds (1-8), among which was the new 2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylacetophenone 2-0-β-D-glucopyranoside (1). With the aim to investigate if the high shelf life of M argun fruits could be related to the occurrence of antioxidant principles that were able to prevent oxidative reactions, the evaluation was carried out of the in vitro antioxidant activity by Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assay of the extract and isolated compounds.