Attalea crassispatha

Attalea (at-tahl-EH-ah) crassispatha (krahs-see-SPAH-tah)
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Attalea (at-tahl-EH-ah) Species: crassispatha (krahs-see-SPAH-tah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Carossier oil palm

Habitat and Distribution

SW. Haiti. Attalea crassispatha is endemic to the southern peninsula of Haiti, where approximately 25–30 individual palms are thought to survive. It is the only member of the subtribe Attaleinae native to the Greater Antilles. The species is restricted to four localities within two major watersheds, the Cavaillon and Côtes-de-Fer, where it grows from sea level to 450 m in elevation. (cmsdata.iucn.org) [[]]

Description

Attalea crassispatha (Mart.) Burret is a tall (to 20 m), solitary palm bearing a dense crown of pinnate leaves, each leaf up to 5 m long and bearing up to 165 pairs of leaflets. Overall, the palm can resemble a robust coconut palm. The inflorescence bears a thick, woody, furrowed peduncular bract. The staminate flowers bear three lance-shaped petals that are not fused together at their bases and eight or nine stamens. The anthers are curled and shorter than the petals. The fruits are egg-shaped, about 3 cm long. Each fruit has a hard stone (endocarp) enclosing a single seed. (cmsdata.iucn.org) Editing by edric.

Comments and Curiosities

Natural history: Little is known of the natural history of Attalea crassispatha, as so much of its natural habitat has been altered by grazing livestock, fire and farming. Its natural habitat is seasonally dry forest, but much of the forest cover is now absent. Nevertheless, Attalea crassispatha persists and can reproduce in anthropomorphic habitats, if given an opportunity. Most adult palms currently occur as isolated individuals. Aspects of their biotic interactions are unknown. (cmsdata.iucn.org)

Threats to survival: Habitat destruction has had a significant impact on this species. It is likely that changes in forest cover, soil structure and moisture, fire regime, and abundance of native seed dispersal agents have had a negative effect on the natural reproduction of this palm. Regeneration is prevented by livestock grazing on fruits and seedlings and by people, who harvest immature seeds as snacks. Periodic hurricanes, to which the area is prone, are also a threat to the remaining adult palms of this species. A mature individual was toppled by Hurricane Georges in 1998.

Current Conservation Measures: IUCN Redlist; Critically Endangered: A large ex situ population of Attalea crassispatha is maintained at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Miami, Florida, USA. It is probably the largest collection of the species in the world. Most of the palms are still too young to flower or fruit. Seeds were also distributed to other botanical gardens in the USA, Central America, and elsewhere. In Haiti, seedlings of Attalea crassispatha were planted on the grounds of public buildings and private residences in 1990, in an effort to develop in-country ex situ collections. Additionally, families with Attalea crassispatha growing on their land were paid to preserve the palm. It is not known if the payments have been sustained. A local NGO, the Fondation Botanique d'Haiti is undertaking a two-year project to investigate the distribution, ecology and conservation status of Attalea crassispatha, with support from Flora & Fauna International. The project will conduct public awareness activities, propagate and distribute of seedlings for out-planting. (cmsdata.iucn.org)

Uses: The palm is used locally as a natural boundary marker or landmark. Children eat the soft, immature endosperm of the seeds. The immature endosperm has a flavor similar to coconut. (cmsdata.iucn.org)