Butia eriospatha

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Butia eriospatha
Butia eriospatha kz3.jpg
Butia eriospatha in the Auckland Botanic Gardens
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Butia
Species:
B. eriospatha
Binomial name
Butia eriospatha
(Mart. ex Drude) Becc.
Synonyms [2]
  • Cocos eriospathaMart. ex Drude [1881]
  • Calappa eriospatha(Mart. ex Drude) Kuntze [1891]
  • Syagrus eriospatha(Mart. ex Drude) Glassman [1970]
  • Butia punctataBomhard [1942], nom. nud.

Butia eriospatha is a small species of Butia palm endemic to the highlands of southern Brazil. [1] 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. [3] Indeed, the specific epithet is derived from Greek ἔριον, wool, and Latin spatha, which refers to the spathe. [4] It has been given the name woolly jelly palm (UK) or wooly jelly palm (US) in English. [5] Vernacular names for it where it is native are butiá-da-serra, [6] [7] [8] [9] butiázeiro, [7] [8] butiá-veludo, [7] butiá [3] [7] butiá verdadeiro, [8] butiá-do-campo, [8] yatáy [8] and macumá. [3] [7]

Contents

Taxonomy

In 1970 Sidney Fredrick Glassman moved this species, along with all other Butia, to Syagrus , [10] but in 1979 he changed his mind and moved everything back. [11]

Description

Butia eriospatha is a solitary-trunked palm tree. The trunk is sometimes inclined to a side, and may occasionally be subterranean. The 20-22 pinnate leaves arch back down towards the trunk and have a petiole armed with teeth spaced along their margins; the rachis of the leaf is 150–220 cm in length. [6] [9] The branched inflorescence develops in a woody, 115–135 cm long spathe covered in a dense woolly indumentum. The pistillate (female) flowers are 5–9mm in length. The shape of the fruit is globose (round), as is the shape of the nuts. [6]

Like all species of Butia studied, this species has relatively larger pollen grains than that of other genera of palm present in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. These grains are bilaterally symmetrical, prolate-spheroid, monosulcate, and with the end piriform (pear-shaped). The surface is covered in minute 2μm-large reticulate patterns. [9]

Distribution

It is native to southern Brazil, where the main bulk of its population is found straddling the highlands in the eastern Santa Catarina/Rio Grande do Sul border regions, surrounded by scattered sub-populations in the southeastern coastal part of the high plateau of the states of Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina. [6] [7] A naturalised population in an area of northern Misiones Province, Argentina, was reported in 2008. [12]

Bauermann et al. investigated the possibility of using palm pollen, including this species, in palynology, in order to try to provide more detail about the ancient changes in habitat in the state Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil by tracking the changes in distribution and abundance of the palms, but were unable to provide much detail on the subject. [9]

Habitat and ecology

Butia eriospatha in its native habitat growing with Araucaria angustifolia in the Tainhas State Park. Floresta com Araucaria.JPG
Butia eriospatha in its native habitat growing with Araucaria angustifolia in the Tainhas State Park.

It is found growing in the Atlantic rainforest biome on a plateau at higher altitudes, between 700 and 1,200m, where it is largely found in grasslands, aggregated in often extensive, dense, almost monoculture palm groves, but higher up also sometimes in open Araucaria forest. [1] [6] [12]

These distinctive dense palm groves are known as butiázais in Rio Grande do Sul, [12] but may also be known as butiatuba or butiazal. [9]

The caterpillars of the butterflies Brassolis astyra ssp. astyra (fide d'Aralljo & Silva et al. [1968] (=record no. 2362, Butia eriospatha identified as butiázeiro or Cocos sp. in this study)) and B. sophorae (possibly ssp. dinizi) (=no. 2365) have been recorded feeding on B. eriospatha in Santa Catarina. Opsiphanes invirae , the nominate form or possibly subspecies remoliatus, was also recorded feeding on this palm in the same study (=no. 2390, 2392). [13] [14]

The caterpillars of the Indonesian butterfly Cephrenes augiades ssp. augiades may also feed on the leaves this palm. [14]

Video of Anchylorhynchus eriospathae laying its eggs on the developing flowers of Butia eriospatha.

In a long term study observing the feeding behaviour throughout the year of the squirrel Guerlinguetus brasiliensis ssp. ingrami in secondary Araucaria angustifolia forest in the Parque Recreativo Primavera in the vicinity of the city of Curitiba, Paraná, of the ten plant species of which the squirrel ate the seeds or nuts, Butia eriospatha was an uncommon but regular part of the diet in the spring and summer. Mushrooms, seeds of Araucaria angustifolia, nuts of Syagrus romanzoffiana (queen palm) and acorns of Quercus robur (English oak) were the main part of the diet depending on the season. [15]

Uses

Butia eriospatha is reasonably available in Europe as an ornamental. It is often used in mild temperate climates as a hardy palm for its exotic look.

Products obtained from the palm are used locally and are not widely marketed. [7] The fruit pulp is used as a base to make beverages. [8] [16] A wine is made from the palm, as are juices and jellies/jams. [7]

Fibres were once harvested from this palm, [8] which were used to make mattresses. Plantations of this palm were planted in the 1950s in Brazil for this purpose.

Horticulture

It is sometimes cultivated in Brazil and Argentina. [8]

It is advised to plant the palms in full sunlight. It is said to take -14 °C, but should be protected at -6 °C in the Netherlands. [17]

Conservation

The species is widely cultivated, but according to Noblick in 1998, wild populations are declining. [1] It was listed as em perigo (endangered) by the Rio Grande do Sul state government in 2002 (decreto nº 42.099) and 2014 (decreto n° 52.109), because the population is believed to have been reduced by over 50% in at least the last 100 years. [12] [18] [19]

In 2012 the Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora rated the conservation status for Brazil as 'vulnerable'. [7]

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>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>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.

Syagrus macrocarpa is a rare species of palm found only as scattered isolated individuals and small groups in the east of the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. It grows to 4-10m tall, with 8-20 leaves to 2m long. The leaves are bent at the end, with very hairy margins near the trunk, and consist of 180-320 slightly coiled leaflets irregularly arranged in several planes on the rake. The fruit are oval, greenish-yellow, 6–9 cm long. It is grown in cultivation. Seeds are difficult to germinate, with low rates of germination. Common names for it in Minas Gerais are baba-de-boi-grande and maria-rosa.

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

Syagrus pseudococos is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is found in tropical rainforest and on rocky outcrops in eastern Brazil along a coastal strip from extreme south of state of Bahia south through Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo.

<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>Syagrus cearensis</i> Species of palm

Syagrus cearensis is a natural palm endemic to Brazil.

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

Butia lallemantii is a species of palm described in 2006. Unlike more familiar Butia species, this is a clustering, acaulescent species lacking an above-ground trunk. It was the third of such species of Butia described. It is caespitose; branching underground with normally 3-6 branches. It grows to 60–160 cm tall, with 5-12 leaves with 24-40 leaflets a side. The fruit are edible, ovate-lanceolate, yellow-orange, 2.5-3.5 x 1.6-2.5 cm, with a reddish apex.

<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 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.

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.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Noblick, L. (1998). "Butia eriospatha". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 1998: e.T38462A10114794. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.1998.RLTS.T38462A10114794.en . Retrieved 15 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Govaerts, R. (2018). "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 Glassman, S. F. (1970). "A conspectus of the palm genus Butia Becc". Fieldiana. 32 (10): 145, 149. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.2384 . Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  4. ↑ Soares, Kelen Pureza (2015). "Le genre Butia". Principes (in French). 1: 25. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  5. ↑ Porcher, Michel H. (20 April 2003). "Sorting Butia names". Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (MMPND). University of Melbourne. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Heiden, G.; Ellert-Pereira, P.E.; Eslabão, M.P. (2015). "Brazilian Flora Checklist - Butia eriospatha (Mart. ex Drude) Becc". Butia in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil, Flora do Brasil 2020 under construction (in Portuguese). Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Prieto, Pablo Viany (29 June 2012). "Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora - CNCFlora" (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Kruse, J. (April 2001). "Mansfeld's World Database of Agriculture and Horticultural Crops". IPK. Retrieved 26 September 2018.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Bauermann, Soraia Girardi; Evaldt, Andréia Cardoso Pacheco; Zanchin, Janaína Rosana; de Loreto Bordignon, Sergio Augusto (June 2010). "Diferenciação polínica de Butia, Euterpe, Geonoma, Syagrus e Thritrinax e implicações paleoecológicas de Arecaceae para o Rio Grande do Sul". Iheringia, Série Botânica (in Portuguese). 65 (1): 35–46. ISSN   0073-4705 . Retrieved 11 October 2018.
  10. ↑ Glassman, Sidney Fredrick (1970). "A conspectus of the palm genus Butia Becc". Fieldiana. 32 (10): 145–149. doi: 10.5962/bhl.title.2384 . Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  11. ↑ Glassman, Sidney Fredrick (1979). "Re-evaluation of the Genus Butia With a Description of a New Species" (PDF). Principes. 23: 70–71. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
  12. 1 2 3 4 Soares, Kelen Pureza; Longhi, Solon Jonas; Neto, Leopoldo Witeck; de Assis, Lucas Coelho (2014). "Palmeiras (Arecaceae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil". Rodriguésia - Revista do Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (in Portuguese). 65 (1): 121. Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  13. ↑ Penz, Carla M.; Aiello, Annette; Srygley, Robert B. (1999). "Early stages of Caligo illioneus and C. idomeneus (Nymphalidae, Brassolinae) from Panama, with remarks on larval food plants for the subfamily" (PDF). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society. 53 (4): 142–152. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  14. 1 2 Savela, Markku. "Butia". Lepidoptera and some other life forms. Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  15. ↑ Bordignon, Marcelo; Monteiro‐Filho, E. L. A. (1999). "Seasonal Food Resources of the Squirrel Sciurus ingrami in a Secondary Araucaria Forest in Southern Brazil". Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment. 34 (3): 137–140. doi:10.1076/snfe.34.3.137.8910 . Retrieved 15 October 2018.
  16. ↑ "Butia eriospatha". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2018-09-26.
  17. ↑ Wagelaar, Edwin (31 December 2017). "Het geslacht Butia". Palmexotica (in Dutch). Retrieved 3 October 2018.
  18. ↑ "Decreto n° 52.109/2014". Decreto 52.109, of 2014 (PDF) (in Portuguese).
  19. ↑ "Lista das Espécies Ameaçadas de Extinção no RS". Avaliação do Estado de Conservação de Espécies Flora - RS - 2014 (in Portuguese). FZB RS - Fundação Zoobotânica do Rio Grande do Sul. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
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