Syagrus caerulescens

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Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs)
caerulescens (sehr-oo-LEH-sehns)
Sa21090785640012.JPG
Photo: Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010
Scientific Classification
Genus: Syagrus (see-AHG-ruhs)
Species:
caerulescens (sehr-oo-LEH-sehns)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
palmeirinha-azul

Habitat and Distribution

This species is endemic to the state of Goiás in the rocky, sandy soils of
Institute Plantarum, Nova Odessa, São Paulo, Brazil. Photo by Photo by Mauricio Moreira Caixeta.
the campo rupestre vegetation of the Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil.

Description

Palm with stem generally solitary, short or subterranean. Leaves less than 1 m long and 2–4 (–6) in the crown; sheath 12–20 cm long; pseudopetiole with fibrous margins, 9–17 cm long, true petiole 6–14 cm long; rachis with white tomentum along the abaxial side, 53–87 cm long; leaflets 40–56 along each side of the rachis, linear, stiff coriaceous, dark green on the upper surface and bluish green on the lower, with acute and asymmetrical apex, distributed irregularly in clusters of 2–3 and inserted in various planes, basal leaflets measuring 12–22 × 0.1–0.4 cm, middle leaflets 13–24 × 1.0–1.9 cm, apical leaflets 4.5–6 × 0.2–0.5 cm. Inflorescence erect and mostly spicate or rarely branched, with peduncle 11–14 cm long × 0.5–0.8 cm in diameter; prophyll 8–12 × 1.8–3 cm long; peduncular bract 17–20 cm long, expanded part 8–15 × 4–6 cm; inflorescence axis 8–10 cm long, rachis absent with 1 terminal primary branch 8–10 cm long; staminate flowers 13.6–15.7 × 6.0–8.3 mm, sepals 1.4–2.1 × 1.1 mm, glabrous, keeled and connate at the base, petals 12.0–13.6 × 2.8–4.3 mm with acute tips, nerves indistinct to slightly raised, stamens 6.4–8.0 mm long, anther 4.3–6.4 mm long, filaments ca. 1.5 mm long; basal pistillate flowers elongate conical, glabrous, ca. 11 mm long and 10 mm wide, sepals imbricate 10 × 9.3 mm, petals glabrous, imbricate at the base but slightly valvate (to 4 mm) at the tips, 9 × 6.7 mm, pistil slightly lepidote, 8.6 × 5 mm diam., stigmas 3, less than 3 mm long, glabrous, staminodial ring ca. 1 mm high, 6-dentate. Fruits ovoid, 2.0–2.5 × 1.5–2.0 cm, epicarp reddish brown lepidote and with fibrous-fleshy mesocarp, endocarps nearly globose to oblate 1.2–1.5 × 1.2–1.3 cm and 0.8–1.3 mm thick. (Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010)

NOTES: The attractive bluish color of the palm is due to the thick waxy bluish coating on the lower side of its leaves. It frequently has a low number of leaves, but this may be due to having to recover from the frequent fires that sweep across its habitat. Its leaflet anatomy is most similar to S. rupicola, but it has thinner leaflets, a much thinner epidermis and more numerous small vascular fibers along the abaxial surface of its leaflets. It differs further from S. rupicola by being smaller in stature with leaves that are blue on the lower surface and green on the upper surface, rather than silvery-blue on both surfaces. (Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010)

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 9a

Comments and Curiosities

ETYMOLOGY: The specific epithet means bluish which reflects its common Brazilian name “palmeirinha-azul” or little blue palm.

PHENOLOGY: It was flowering in July, but no fruits were present.



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).

Dr. LARRY R. NOBLICK & Dr. HARRI LORENZI 2010


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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