Butia arenicola

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Butia arenicola
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Butia
Species:
B. arenicola
Binomial name
Butia arenicola
Synonyms [1]

Butia arenicola is a very small species of Butia palm with an underground trunk; native to Paraguay and the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil. Boquierinho is recorded as a possible local vernacular name for it (if the specimen was correctly identified). [5]

Contents

Etymology

The species epithet arenicola refers to the habitat it was originally collected in: harēna or arēna is Latin for 'sand', the suffix -cola is Latin for 'inhabiting'. [1]

Taxonomy

Butia arenicola was collected by the Swiss physician and botanist Émile Hassler in Paraguay, in sandy plains in the highlands of the Cordillera de Altos in January 1898 – 1899. It was first formally described as Cocos arenicola by João Barbosa Rodrigues in 1903, using this specimen as a type. [1] [6] [7]

Max Burret, working in Berlin, moved this taxon to Butia in 1930. Meanwhile, in the United States, Frambach had taken to calling this taxon Syagrus arenicola, although he did not formally move the species. Dahlgren validated this name in 1936. [4]

Sidney Glassman recognised the taxon in 1970 under this last name, [7] but in 1979 changed his mind and recognised it under Butia. [8] In 1970 Glassman, who had not travelled to the region to observe the plants in situ, considered the species identifiable in most of the specimens labelled as such that he had examined, but in his entry about the taxon he presents a large amount of text expressing doubts that this dwarf taxon might merely be immature individuals of Butia capitata (in which he included B. odorata), as he theorized that perhaps certain characters which set this taxon apart, such as reduced pinnae (leaflet) width and size of the trunk and inflorescence, were in fact related to age of the specimen. [7] Note that both B. capitata and B. odorata occur far from where B. arenicola was known to grow at the time. [1] An 1848 collection by Anders Fredrik Regnell in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, much earlier than Hassler's collection of the type, was classified as a combination of an inflorescence of Syagrus aff. arenicola and a leaf of S. flexuosa by Glassman in 1968. [9] Glassman further determined a group of specimens collected by William Andrew Archer and Augusto Gehrt in 1936 in Jaraguari, Mato Grosso do Sul, to be S. aff. arenicola. [10] Glassman lastly also identified as S. aff. arenicola a specimen collected by Amaro Macedo in 1950 at a locality likely to be Nova Ponte along the Rio Verde, in Água Clara, Mato Grosso do Sul. [5] Note that this area is also the type locality for Butia matogrossensis . [1] Glassman reclassified all these collections as B. arenicola in 1982. [5] [9] [10]

In 1995 Henderson et al. considered this taxon a synonym of B. paraguayensis. [4] Rafaël Govaerts followed them in 1996, as did Govaerts & Dransfield in 2005, [11] and Lorenzi et al. in the Arecaceae of the 2010 Flora Brasileira. [12]

Larry Noblick, a US palm expert, did not follow this interpretation, and was determining herbarium exxicata as B. arenicola by 2007. Noblick re-examined at least one specimen which had been assigned to B. paraguayensis and reassigned this to B. arenicola: an 1882 collection by Benjamin Balansa in Valenzuela, Cordillera department, Paraguay, also collected earlier than Hassler's collection of the type. [13]

In 2009 Irene M. Gauto recognised this taxon as a distinct species, despite otherwise following Henderson et al. in her work acquiring a Masters in Biology degree at the University of Geneva. [11] In 2011 she, along with two co-authors, published an updated version of this work, in which Butia arenicola was again recognised. [14]

Soares in 2015 followed these later works in recognising this taxon as a valid, independent species. He, along with R. Pimenta, collected a specimen in 2012 in between the municipalities of Água Clara and Três Lagoas in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, which he identified as B. arenicola. In 2015 he published a treatment of the entire genus Butia in which he published his opinion on the matter, [1] and this was followed in the Arecaceae section of the Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil published by Leitman et al. in 2015. [12]

Description

This is a solitary-trunked palm with a subterranean trunk only 5 by 8 cm in size. The 3 to 8 leaves have a 15–34 cm by 1 cm wide petiole with a margin toothed with tiny teeth to only 1mm in length, and a rachis 70–85 cm in length with 12-30 pairs of pinnae (leaflets) placed at regular intervals in one plane (each pair forming a 'V'-shape). The pinnae in the middle of leaf are 35–45 cm in length and 0.5-1.1 cm in width. The branched inflorescence is protected in a woody spathe 30–40 cm in length, of which the swollen part is 10–28 cm long by 1.5–3 cm wide; this spathe is usually glabrous (hairless) but may rarely be covered in a tomentose indumentum. The inflorescence has a 13–25 cm long peduncle with a 0.5–15 cm long rachis with 3-22 rachillae (branches) 8–18 cm long. The flowers are coloured cream-yellow or purple. The pistillate (female) flower is only 0.5–0.8mm in length; the staminate (male) flower 0.8-1mm. The shape of the fruit and that of the nut within is ovoid. The 2.2-2.4 cm by 1.2-1.8 cm fruit are coloured brownish-yellow, with yellow acidic-sweet flesh, and contain 1 to 2 seeds within the 1-1.3 cm by 0.9-1.1 cm nut. [1] [12]

Similar species

In 1979 Glassman provided a key which contrasted this species with Butia capitata (in which he included B. odorata), in which he considered the main difference to be the small trunk, the generally smaller dimensions of the pinnae, spathe, spadix, as well as a one-seeded fruit and tiny 2mm petiolar teeth as opposed to 11 cm-long spines in B. capitata. He distinguished both B. arenicola and B. capitata from B. eriospatha by the hairless spathes. [8]

Soares considers the species the most similar to B. matogrossensis. It can be distinguished by always having smaller vegetative parts and sometimes by differences in the relative sizes of the spathe and inflorescence, with B. arenicola having an inflorescence generally enclosed within the spathe. [1]

In his 2017 key to the genus, Marcelo Piske Eslabão also contrasts it to B. matogrossensis, distinguishing it from this species by yellow instead of red fruit, and smaller spathes and pistillate flowers. [15]

It grows in the same areas as B. lepidotispatha, [1] [15] as well as B. paraguayensis and B. exospadix. [15] In the Yaguareté Forest in Paraguay it occurs together with B. lepidotispatha and B. exospadix. [15]

Distribution

It grows in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul in Brazil [1] [12] and specimens have been collected in the departments of Amambay, [15] Canindeyú, [14] Central, [14] Cordillera, [14] [15] Itapúa, [15] Misiones [15] and San Pedro [14] [15] in Paraguay.

Glassman determined two collections from Mato Grosso do Sul as B. arenicola in 1982: one in Jaraguari in 1936, and one in likely Água Clara in 1950. It is now unclear if these identifications were correct. [5] [10] Gauto et al. state their belief in 2011 that this taxon is endemic to Paraguay; it is unclear if that means they disregarded the Brazilian specimens determined as Butia arenicola by Glassman as misidentified, or were unaware of them. [14] In any case, in 2012 Soares collected it again in Mato Grosso do Sul in Três Lagoas, confirming its presence. [1] By 2017 it had been collected (or identified as such) in at least two locations in Brazil; the afore-mentioned collection by Soares and a 1987 collection from Bela Vista by E.L. Perez. [15]

It may have been collected in Uberaba, Minas Gerais in 1848, but it is unclear if Glassman correctly identified this collection. [9]

With an estimated extent of occurrence of approximately 17,500 km2, it has a wider range than most species within the genus Butia. Within this estimated extent of occurrence, it was calculated to occupy some 10,000 km2 (the area of occupancy), giving it an abundance of 57%, which is rather average within the genus Butia. As of 2017 it is known from at least 13 collection localities. [15]

Habitat

It grows in cerrado in Brazil. [12] It grows in cerrado and a habitat called "wet chaco" in Paraguay. The areas it grows in have marked seasonal differences, with a cooler, very wet winter where the surface may temporarily be flooded in low-lying places, and hot and dry summers with often prolonged droughts. [14]

Conservation

In 2011 Gauto et al. considered this species to be of 'least concern' in Paraguay. They consider it probable that it has a wider distribution than at that time known, and that it is likely under-collected, although they mention that so little collection of this taxon has occurred that the low amount of specimens they used in their calculations may cause their method of estimating the population to show a larger extent of occurrence than may actually be the case. [14]

As of 2018 the conservation status has not been evaluated by the Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora in Brazil, [12] but in a 2017 dissertation by Eslabão he advocates to classify the species as 'vulnerable' for Brazil as the IUCN categories B1ab (i, ii, iii) apply; this means that the estimated extent of occurrence (see distribution above) was lower than 20,000 km2, it occurs in less than 10 localities in Brazil, and that according to Eslabão the population was highly fragmented and in decline. [15]

The only known population to be found protected within a nature conservation area is at the Yacyretá Dam Island Reserve at Parque Nacional Lago Ypacarai in Itapua, Paraguay, with three known localities here. [14] [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Syagrus</i> (plant) Genus of palms

Syagrus is a genus of Arecaceae (palms), native to South America, with one species endemic to the Lesser Antilles. The genus is closely related to the Cocos, or coconut genus, and many Syagrus species produce edible seeds similar to the coconut.

<i>Copernicia alba</i> Species of palm

Copernicia alba is a South American species of palm tree, which is found in the Humid Chaco ecoregion in Bolivia, Paraguay, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina. They often, but not always, form dense single-species woodlands. Its common names in Spanish show the various colours that its wood and/or bark takes according to its environment: palma blanca, palma negra, palma colorada. In Guaraní, it is called caranday, "water palm". Its English trade name is wax palm or caranday wax palm.

<i>Butia</i> Genus of palms

Butia is a genus of palms in the family Arecaceae, native to the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina. Many species produce edible fruits, which are sometimes used to make alcoholic beverages and other foods. The name is derived from a Brazilian vernacular word for members of the genus.

<i>Syagrus romanzoffiana</i> Species of palm

Syagrus romanzoffiana, the queen palm or cocos palm, is a palm native to South America, introduced throughout the world as a popular ornamental garden tree. S. romanzoffiana is a medium-sized palm, quickly reaching maturity at a height of up to 15 m (49 ft) tall, with pinnate leaves having as many as 494 pinnae (leaflets), although more typically around 300, each pinna being around 50 centimetres (18 in) in length and 3–5 centimetres (1–2 in) in width.

<i>Dyckia</i> Genus of flowering plants

Dyckia is a genus of plants in the family Bromeliaceae, subfamily Pitcairnioideae.

<i>Dipteryx charapilla</i> Species of legume

Dipteryx charapilla is a little-known species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, a large to mid-sized tree growing along rivers in the rainforests of Brazil. and Peru.

<i>Butia eriospatha</i> Species of palm

Butia eriospatha is a small species of Butia palm endemic to the highlands of southern Brazil. It is very similar to B. odorata, but is easily distinguished from this species by the distinct spathes which are densely covered in rust-coloured, woolly hairs. Indeed, the specific epithet is derived from Greek ἔριον, wool, and Latin spatha, which refers to the spathe. It has been given the name woolly jelly palm (UK) or wooly jelly palm (US) in English. Vernacular names for it where it is native are butiá-da-serra, butiázeiro, butiá-veludo, butiábutiá verdadeiro, butiá-do-campo, yatáy and macumá.

<i>Butia purpurascens</i> Species of palm

Butia purpurascens is a smallish, relatively slender, endangered species of Butia palm, up to 3-7m tall. It is locally known as palmeira-jataí, coqueiro-de-vassoura, butiá or coquinho-azedo in Portuguese. The Kalunga people call this palm cabeçudo.

<i>Butia paraguayensis</i> Species of palm

Butia paraguayensis is a species of Butia palm tree found in the cerrado region of South America. Its natural range runs from Mato Grosso do Sul and São Paulo in southern Brazil through Paraguay to northern Argentina and Uruguay. It was given the name dwarf yatay palm in English by 2000, and it is locally known as yata'i in Guaraní in Paraguay, or butiá-do-cerrado in Portuguese in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

<i>Butia capitata</i> Species of palm

Butia capitata, also known as jelly palm, is a Butia palm native to the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás in Brazil. It is known locally as coquinho-azedo or butiá in (northern) Minas Gerais. This palm grows up to 8m. It has feather palm pinnate leaves that arch inwards towards a thick stout trunk.

<i>Butia yatay</i> Species of palm

Butia yatay, the jelly palm or yatay palm, is a Butia palm native to southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina. It is known as the butiá-jataí in Portuguese in the south of Brazil, as well as simply jataí or butiá. It is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental in Europe and the United States. It is the tallest of all the species in the genus Butia. The fruit is edible with a sweet flavour.

<i>Butia campicola</i> Species of palm

Butia campicola is a very small species of Butia palm with an underground trunk; native to the cerrados of central Paraguay and south-central Brazil.

<i>Butia odorata</i> Species of palm tree

Butia odorata, also known as the South American jelly palm, jelly palm, or pindo palm, is a Butia palm native to southernmost Brazil and Uruguay. This slow-growing palm grows up to 10m, although it is often less tall. It is identifiable by its feather palm pinnate leaves that arch inwards towards a thick stout trunk.

<i>Butia stolonifera</i> Species of palm

Butia stolonifera was an oddly growing palm assigned to the genus Butia found only once in Uruguay in the 19th century, but which now is considered to be uncertain as a valid species.

Butia microspadix is a very small species of grass-like Butia palm usually with an underground trunk; native to the states of Paraná and São Paulo in Brazil.

<i>Butia archeri</i> Species of palm

Butia archeri is a small species of Butia palm with a short trunk native to the states of Goiás, Brasília, Minas Gerais and São Paulo in Brazil.

Butia matogrossensis is a smallish species of Butia palm with a trunk of only 0.5 m (20 in) in height or often subterranean, native to the cerrados of the centre, central-east, northeast and likely north of the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, after which it is named, in south-central Brazil. It also occurs in neighbouring south-central Goiás to the north. It is endemic to Brazil, occurring only in this country.

Butia pubispatha is a very small and extremely rare species of Butia palm with an underground trunk; endemic to the east of the state of Paraná in southeastern Brazil.

Butia catarinensis is a mid-sized species of Butia palm native to the states of Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina in Brazil.

Arjona megapotamica is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Schoepfiaceae, native to a small area of southeastern Brazil, where it grows in cool mountain grasslands. Like other Arjona species, it is thought to be a root hemiparasite. It is a small perennial plant growing as a bunch of short twigs from a woody central knob. As of December 2021, Arjona schumanniana was regarded by some sources as a synonym, by others as an independent species.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Soares, Kelen Pureza (2015). "Le genre Butia". Principes (in French). 1: 12–57. Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  2. ↑ IPNI Plant Name Details. International Plant Names Index. Vol. 31. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Harvard University Herbaria, and the Australian National Herbarium. 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  3. ↑ IPNI Plant Name Details. International Plant Names Index. Vol. 31. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, The Harvard University Herbaria, and the Australian National Herbarium. 2018. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Flora del Conosur" (in Spanish). Instituto de Botánica Darwinion. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Orrell T, Hollowell T (2018). NMNH Extant Specimen Records. Version 1.19. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hnhrg3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-10. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1318762250
  6. ↑ Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève - G. Geneva Herbarium – General Collection (G). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/rvjdu1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-09. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1144614655
  7. 1 2 3 Glassman, Sidney Fredrick (1970). "A conspectus of the palm genus Butia Becc". Fieldiana. 32 (10): 136–143. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.2384 . Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  8. 1 2 Glassman, Sidney Fredrick (1979). "Re-evaluation of the Genus Butia With a Description of a New Species" (PDF). Principes. 23: 74. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 Orrell T, Hollowell T (2018). NMNH Extant Specimen Records. Version 1.19. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hnhrg3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-09. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1321377389
  10. 1 2 3 Orrell T, Hollowell T (2018). NMNH Extant Specimen Records. Version 1.19. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hnhrg3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-10. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1320607193
  11. 1 2 Govaerts, R. (2018). "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Heiden, G.; Ellert-Pereira, P.E.; Eslabão, M.P. (2015). "Brazilian Flora Checklist - Butia arenicola (Barb.Rodr.) Burret". Butia in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil, Flora do Brasil 2020 under construction (in Portuguese). Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  13. ↑ Conservatoire et Jardin botaniques de la Ville de Genève - G. Geneva Herbarium – General Collection (G). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/rvjdu1 accessed via GBIF.org on 2018-10-09. https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/1144614695
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Gauto, Irene; Spichiger, Rodolphe E.; Stauffer, Fred W. (2011). "Diversity, distribution and conservation status assessment of Paraguayan palms (Arecaceae)" (PDF). Biodiversity and Conservation. 20 (12): 2705–2728. doi:10.1007/s10531-011-0100-6. S2CID   26108329 . Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Eslabão, Marcelo Piske (2017). Áreas prioritárias e estado de conservação de Butia (Arecaceae) (PDF) (Thesis) (in Portuguese). Universidade Federal de Pelotas. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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