Difference between revisions of "Syagrus coronata"

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California. Photo by Geoff Stein, edric.

Syagrus (SIGH-ah-gruhs) coronata (kor-oh-NAH-tah)
New Caledonia, photo by Ben, edric.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Syagrus (SIGH-ah-gruhs) Species: coronata (kor-oh-NAH-tah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Licuri Palm, Ouricury Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Brazil Northeast, Brazil Southeast. The Licuri Palm, Syagrus coronata, is a species of palm tree that plays an important role in the diets of tropical rainforest animals. It is native to eastern Brazil, ranging from the southern part of the state of Pernambuco, into the state of Bahia, south to the Jequitinhonha River in the state of Minas Gerais.

Description

Syagrus coronata reaches 3 to 12 m (9.8 to 39 ft) tall with a crown of attractive, arching, semi-plumose leaves. The leaf bases are persitant, and covered in a white indument, and arranged in roughly 5 spiral rows. The blooms are bright yellow, and the plants bear fruit for most of the year. Licuri palm nuts are the main food source of the Lear's Macaw, making up around 95% of their diet. These nuts can grow to be one inch (2.5 cm) in width.

Culture

Comments and Curiosities

"This is probably one of the more drought and wind tolerant Syagrus species and one of the few prone to rot if overwatered. It is often used in xeriscape landscaping and is a very attractive species- has a relatively sparse crown of long, arching leaves with stiff, plumosely arranged leaflets that are slight bluish to pale green. The trunk often is ornamentally sculptured with a spiral pattern of old leaf scars (though eventually these fall off and reveal a standard smooth trunk without much in the way of rings). Like all Syagrus, this species has no crownshaft. My palm was done well but is planted in pure clay and browntips a lot- some struggling through long, cold, wet winters in that sloggy soil. Still, pretty hardy. No frost damaged down to 25F." (Geoff Stein), edric.

Conservation: The destruction of small seedlings by cattle poses a threat to the plants, primarily through the destruction of concentrated groves. Those groves are vital to the Lear's Macaw.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke6uxzrWeFQ
• http://www.palms.org/palmsjournal/2004/vol48n1p43-49.pdf
• http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=984.0

References

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Special thanks to palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos, edric.

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