Syagrus itacambirana Noblick & Lorenzi (2010b: 33)

Noblick, Larry R., 2017, A revision of the genus Syagrus (Arecaceae), Phytotaxa 294 (1), pp. 448-450 : 448-450

30. Syagrus itacambirana Noblick & Lorenzi (2010b: 33) . Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Municipio of Juramento, collected on the Juramento/Itacambira road between Juramento and Itacambira on the right [south side], in the interior of an Eucalyptus planting, 27 km east of Juramento, 1,220 m, –16.95, –43.47, 20 June 2008, R. Tsuji, H. Lorenzi, L.R. Noblick et al. 2706 (holotype HPL!, isotypes FTG!, K!, NY!, RB!, SP!)

Figures 42–43 plates, Figure 38 map.

Small solitary or clustering palm less than 50 cm tall. Stem very short or subterranean, appearing acaulescent. Leaves 5–9; sheath ca. 10–15 cm long; pseudopetiole 9–19 cm long with fibrous and smooth margins; petiole 7–15 × 0.7–1.0 cm, 0.3–0.4 cm thick; rachis 24–46 cm long; leaflets 25–38 along each side of the rachis, distributed irregularly in clusters of 2–5, inserted in different planes, lanceolate, slightly twisted, dark-green and glabrous on both sides, with acute, asymmetrical apex; no ramenta scales or tomentum present where the leaflets are inserted on the rachis, none along the abaxial midvein; basal leaflets 10–14 × 0.5–0.7 cm, middle leaflets 10–19 × ca. 0.5–1.8 cm, apical leaflets 3–6 × 0.1–0.3 cm. Inflorescence erect, unilaterally branched; prophyll ca. 8 × 1.5 cm; peduncular bract 20–30 cm long, the expanded portion 12–22 × 2.7–6 cm, 1 mm thickness; peduncle 6–14 cm × 5– 10 mm, 3–7 mm thick, elliptical in cross-section, glabrous; inflorescence axis 7–18 cm long; rachis 2–10 cm long with 3–8 rachillae 3.5–11 cm long; staminate flowers 8–9.5 × 4–4.5 mm, sepals 1–1.5 × 1–1.5 mm, glabrous, petals 7.5 × 3.5 mm with acute tips, nerves indistinct to slightly raised, stamens 2.4–3.5 mm long, anthers 1.7–2.5 mm long, filaments ca. 1.4–1.5 mm long; basal pistillate flowers elongate pyramidal, 9–10 × 6–7 mm, glabrous, sepals 8–9 × 4–5 mm, petals 9.5 × 5 mm, glabrous, slightly valvate at the tips, pistil 7 × 3.5–4.0 mm, glabrous, stigmas 2.5–3.0 mm long, staminodal ring ca. 3 mm high, 6-dentate. Fruit globose, 1.8–2.5 × 2.1–2.7 cm, green when mature, with mesocarp ca. 3 mm thick, succulent and fibrous (pulpy), yellowish; endocarp ca. ca. 1.5–1.7 × 1.1–1.4 cm, 2.5 mm thick, with suture lines visible at the base but obscured at the apex; seed nearly globose, ca. 7 mm with no internal cavity, endosperm homogeneous. Germination remote-tubular.

Common name:— palmeira-de-vassoura.

Etymology:— The specific epithet, itacambirana , refers to the municipio close to where this species was originally collected, Itacambira, Minas Gerais.

Distribution and habitat:— This palm is endemic to the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the Cadeia do Espinhaço, generally in rocky, sandy soils of high elevation cerrado or campo rupestre. One of the few known surviving populations was discovered in a Eucalyptus plantation along the road between Juramento and Itacambira, where it is growing as an understory palm.

Conservation:— This species is resilient, growing within the disturbed soils of Eucalyptus plantations in northeastern Minas Gerais. It appears to be rather restricted in its distribution. However, not enough collections have been made to truly access its conservation status accurately, but since it survives along roadsides and within Eucalyptus plantations this species appears not to be under any threat. There are a few other reserves in the area within which this species could possibly be found. It is classified as least concern, LC.

Phenology:— Immature fruit can be found in June. In cultivation mature fruit was present in September.

Uses:— The tasty and nutritious fruits, which are easily accessible, are eaten by small rodents. The plant has a potential for cultivation in gardens.

Notes:— This species is a small acaulescent palm with branched inflorescences, tightly clustered coriaceous, dark green, concolorous leaflets, which are slightly twisted. The fruit is globose.

Representative specimens:— Known only from the type collection.

Figures

FIGURE 38. Distribution maps of Syagrus harleyi, S. hoehnei, S. inajai, S. insignis, S. itacambirana, S. itapebiensis and S. kellyana.

FIGURE 42. Syagrus itacambirana. A. Habit. B. Leaflets. C. Leaf. D. A primary branch with flowers. E. Triad with central pistillate flower flanked by two staminate flowers. F. Pistillate flower. G. Staminate flower. H. Infructescence.A–D drawn from photos taken by L. Noblick and H. Lorenzi, E–L drawn from R. Tsuji et al. 2691. All scales are in centimeters except A which is in decimeters. Drawn by Wes Jurgens.

FIGURE 43. Syagrus itacambirana. A. Cultivated palm at Jardim Botânico Plantarum. B. Abaxial surface of leaflets same as adaxial surface. C. Palm with inflorescence. D. Inflorescence. E. Flowers. Left side: open staminate flower, a triad of staminate and one pistillate flowers and a dissected male flower. Right side: with 4 pistils, third with petal still attached, and two sepals. F. Infructescence. G. Endocarps. H. Infructescence with mature fruits. Grids are in centimeters. Photos D, E, G and H by Harri Lorenzi.