Syagrus procumbens

Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs) procumbens (pro-KUHM-benz)
Syagrus procumbens in their habitat , in Parque Nacional das Emas ( 132000 ha ), one of the largest Cerrado parks in Brazil. Photo by Photo by Mauricio Moreira Caixeta.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs) Species: procumbens (pro-KUHM-benz)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
ariri-rasteiro

Habitat and Distribution

Brazil, Goiás and Mato Grosso do Sul. In cerrado, generally in sandy soils.

Syagrus procumbens in their habitat , in Parque Nacional das Emas ( 132000 ha ), one of the largest Cerrado parks in Brazil. Photo by Photo by Mauricio Moreira Caixeta.

Description

Acaulescent palm with solitary short subterranean stem, the whole plant usually less than 50 cm in height. Leaves less than 1 m long and 2–4 in the crown and the older ones lying procumbent on the ground, only the newest leaf erect; sheath 9–16 cm long; pseudopetiole with fibrous margins, 2–9 cm long, true petiole 0–6 × 0.5 cm by 0.4 cm thick, rachis 2.5–13.0 cm long; leaflets medium to dark green, (3–) 5–8 (–11) along each side of the rachis, linear, with long acute to acuminate and asymmetrical apex, distributed mostly regularly along the rachis and arranged in one plane with the two sides forming a slight V over the rachis; basal leaflets 18–50 × 0.1–0.8 cm, middle leaflets 31–78 × 0.4–1.5 cm, apical leaflets 13–59 × 0.1–1.5 cm. Inflorescence erect, spicate or rarely branched, peduncle 7.0–9.5 cm long; prophyll 4.0–8.5 × 1.0–1.5 cm; peduncular bract 6.5–20.0 cm long, expanded part 4.5–10.0 × 3.0–4.8 cm including a beak, nearly absent to 2 mm long; spike inflorescence 3.3–10.0 cm long, 1 primary branche 3.3–10.0 cm long, pistillate portion ca. 4 cm long or less with 3–6 pistillate flowers or fruits, staminate portion ca. 2–6 cm long; staminate flowers 4–13 × 4–6 mm, sepals 1–2 × 1.5–2.0 mm, usually keeled and connate at the base, petals 6–8 × 2.5–5.0 mm with acute tips, nerves indistinct, stamens 3.5–5.0 mm long, anther 3–4 mm long, filaments 0.5–1.0 mm long; pistillate flowers elongate pyramidal, glabrous, 8–19 × 4–9 mm, sepals imbricate 8–13 × 4–9 mm, petals nerved, imbricate at the base but (upper 6–7 mm) valvate at the tips, 9–13 × 5–8 mm, pistil nearly glabrous, 4 × 2.0–2.5 mm diam., stigmas 3, 2–3 mm long, glabrous, staminodial ring about 1.5–2.0 mm high, short dentate to nearly truncate. Fruits ellipsoid, yellowish tinged when mature, 2.5–3.3 × 1.8–2.2 cm with fibrous-fleshy (pulpy) mesocarp ca. 3 mm thick, epicarp fine reddish brown lepidote; endocarp 1.5–2.6 × 1.3–1.6 cm, ca. 0.5–2.0 mm thick. Seed ca. 1.1 cm diam. with an internal cavity. (Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010) Editing by edric.

NOTES: This is an acaulescent palm with its lower leaves lying flat or procumbent on the ground; long narrow leaflets with a relatively short rachis help to identify this palm along with its leaflet anatomy. (Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010)

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a

Comments and Curiosities

Etymologgy: The specific epithet “procumbens” is from the Latin meaning; procumbent, and refers to the manner in which the lower leaves tend to lay nearly flat against the ground.

Phenology: Fruiting in December.