Bactris gracilior
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Contents
Habitat and Distribution
Bactris gracilior is found on the Atlantic slope from southern Nicaragua (Zelaya),
In all of Central America on the Atlantic slope. In Costa Rica: Alajuela, Limón, Heredia, on the Atlantic slope rainforests in heights of 300 m. In the Guanacaste Conservation Area: Abundant in rain forest, in a location where they are undisturbed, mainly in primary forest. Pitilla Station, Forest Pasmompa, Sector Mount Sele, Cocoa Station. In the Forest Pasmompa, Pitilla Station: Path Memos, Row Orosilito Climbing up to 800 m. above sea level in the rest of the wooded area south and east of the resort. In season there are small groups Cacao Trail, to La Cima between altitude of 1000-1200 m. elevation and a few individuals in Forest Arenales.
Note: Found in forested areas in the Santa Cecilia alrdedores to 300 m., mainly on the banks of the Rio Sucio, and along the Rio Mena.
Description
A small solitary palm, with shiny green, pinnate leaves, and slightly curved, spiny stems, which eventually reach about 3m tall. Typically forms small clumps of plants (cespitose). Solitary, but forming multi-stemmed groups crowding together, almost always very erect stems and slightly curved when they reach heights over 3 m. Hight: 2-4 m. high, and about 2 cm. in diameter, with black spines on average 2.5 cm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter, the longest ones on the stem void around the nodes, area of internodes almost free of spines, denser in the terminal area, covering the living, and dead petioles. Holds an average of 5-9 leaves, with black spines present on petioles, these are less in number on the rest of the rachis, and very dense around the petiole, 3-5 cm. long, the leaflets are covered with very small spinules as well as on the underside. 10-24 fronds per side. The position of the pinnae at the sides of the rachis, moderately arranged in threes. Inflorescence bracts are well protected by a clear brown-cover of small dense spines, divided into 8-23 rachillae. Pineapple infructescence in a dense, short relativamete peduncle, and therefore the racima hangs down close to the stem, fruit ovoid, mature red-vivo, with aryl yellowish, 1-1.3 cm. in length, diameter 0.9-1.1 cm. It flowers from the month of July to August, September and December it bares fruit. It is common to find specimens with very ripe infructescences and inflorescences or even both. Stems hard to cut. Important for species of Hesperiidae that feed on foliage no matter if the flowers haven't even opened. Inflorescences attract Cyclocephala species, Staphilinidae and several small Diptera. Also species of Curculionidae of 3-4 mm. in size among other species of microcoleopteros. Editing by edric.
| Detailed Scientific Description |
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Stems solitary, but cespitose, 2-4 (-5) m tall, about 2 cm in diam., spiny on internodes. Leaves 5-9 per crown; leaf spines scattered, black, terete, to 2 (-5) cm long, on lateral surfaces of sheath, usually absent from petiole and rachis, rarely on rachis; sheath to 28 cm long; ocrea to 10 cm long; petiole 0.2-1.1 m long; rachis 42-96 cm long; pinnae 10-24 per side, irregularly arranged in clusters on alternating sides of the rachis proximally, more regularly arranged distally, spreading in different planes, narrowly elliptical, gradually aristate, glabrous, dull green adaxially, brownish and shiny abaxially on drying, sometimes with minute, forward pointing marginal spines; middle pinnae 18-39 (-45) x 2.5-4.4 cm. Inflorescences interfoliar; peduncle 6-10 cm long, recurved, not spiny or sparsely spiny; prophyll 8-12 cm long, thin, chartaceous; peduncular bract 15-24 cm long, sparsely covered with short, black or brown spines, occasionally almost glabrous; rachis 3-3.6 cm long; rachillae 8-23, 7-10 cm long, at anthesis densely covered with moniliform trichomes; triads irregularly arranged among paired or solitary staminate flowers; staminate flowers 3-4 mm long; sepal lobes about 1 mm long; petals 3-4 mm long; stamens 6; pistillode absent; pistillate flowers to 3 mm long; calyx cupular, to 1 mm long; corolla tubular, to 3 mm long; staminodes 6, minute, or absent ;fruits 1-1.5 x 0.9-1.1 cm, obovoid, bluntly rostrate, orange; mesocarp mealy; endocarp turbinate, pitted apically, the pores equidistant or displaced longitudinally; endocarp fibers few; fruiting perianth with minute calyx and truncate corolla, without staminodial ring. (Henderson, A.J. 2000)/Palmweb. Bactris gracilior is diagnosed by its narrowly elliptical, gradually aristate pinnae (characteristically shiny when dry), and obovoid, bluntly rostrate, orange fruits that are 1-1.5 x 0.9-1.1 cm. This is the species referred to as "Bactris sp. nov. fide Moore" by Chazdon (1985, 1987). Some specimens from Costa Rica and Nicaragua have black, 2-11 mm spines on the veins abaxially (Moore 6629, Robles 1668, Stevens 5083). One specimen, not included in the above description but possibly belonging here, has 29-33, linear pinnae per side (Panama. Bocas del Toro: E of Gualaca-Chiriquí Grande rd., 10 mi N of continental divide, 8°55'N, 82°5'W, 19 Jan 1989, de Nevers et al. 8833 (CAS)). (Henderson, A.J. 2000)/Palmweb. |
Culture
A pretty, relatively sparsely armed Bactris from lowland rainforests in central America with thin, clustering stems to 4 m (13 ft.) tall and ascending leaves with beautifully grouped leaflets that are glossy green above and brownish below. An easy to grow palm for tropical climates that appreciates some shade and protection under established canopy. Cold Hardiness Zone: 10a.
Comments and Curiosities
- IMAGE GALLERY
Photo by Ian Edwards, edric.
Costa Rica.
Costa Rica. Photo-La selva digital flora, edric.
Costa Rica.
External Links
References
Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.
Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.
Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.
Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).
Henderson, A.J.2000. Bactris (Palmae). New York Botanical Garden.
Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.
