Syagrus minor Noblick & Lorenzi (2010b: 37)

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

Phytotaxa 294 (1) © 2017 Magnolia Press • 149 41. Syagrus minor Noblick & Lorenzi (2010b: 37) . Type:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Grande Sertão Veredas, collected on the road of the Parque [Nacional] do Grande Sertão Veredas, 890 m, –15.42, –45.87, 4 March 2009, H. Lorenzi, R. Pimenta & R. Campos 6639 (holotype HPL!, isotypes BHCB!, NY!, K!, RB!, SP!)

Figure 58 plate, Figure 49 map.

Short, solitary palm 30–40 cm tall. Stem subterranean, appearing acaulescent, 3.0– 3.5 cm in diameter. Leaves arched, 3–6 in the crown, sheath 2–11 cm long, pseudopetiole with fibrous or smooth margins 6–19 cm long, petiole 1.5–19 × 0.4–0.7 cm, 2–4 cm thick; rachis 14–46 cm long; leaflets 5–17 along each side of the rachis, distributed regularly or at times irregularly towards the base in clusters of 2 or rarely 3, inserted in nearly the same plane, lanceolate, dark-green, glabrous on both sides, with acute or rounded, asymmetrical apex, usually no ramenta scales or tomentum present where the leaflets are inserted on the rachis, and none along the abaxial midvein; basal leaflets 6.5–20 × 0.1–0.5 cm, middle leaflets 14.5–30 × 0.6–1.2 cm, apical leaflets 10–21 × 0.3–0.7 cm. INFLORESENCE spicate, prophyll 2.7–9.0 × 0.7–1.3 cm; peduncular bract 10–31 cm long, the expanded part 5.6–19.0 × 0.8–2.5 cm, including a 0–2 cm beak, 1.5–3.0 cm perimeter, less than 1 mm thickness; peduncle (1–) 5– 16 cm × 3–4 mm; inflorescence axis 4–12 cm long; rachis absent, rachilla 1, 4–12 cm long; staminate flowers 7–8 × 3.5–4.0 mm, sepals 1.5 × 1.0 mm, glabrous, petals 6–7 × 2.0– 2.5 mm with acute tips, nerves slightly raised, stamens 4–5 mm long, anthers 3–4 mm long, filaments 1.5–2.0 mm long; pistillate flowers elongate pyramidal, 13– 14 × 8–11 mm at the apex, 14–18 × 8–11 mm at the base, glabrous, sepals 9–11 × 7.5–9.0 mm, petals 9–13 × 5 mm, glabrous, pistil 9–10 × 3.5–4.0 mm, glabrous, stigmas ca. 4 mm long, glabrous, staminodal ring ca. 1 mm high, 6- dentate. Fruit ellipsoid to ovoid, 2–2.8 × 1.3–2 cm, epicarp less than 0.5 mm thick, mesocarp thickness not measured, sweet, succulent and fibrous; endocarp ellipsoid, ca. 1.7–2.5 × 1.1–1.3 cm, hard; seed ca. 0.8 cm in diameter with no interior cavity, endosperm homogeneous. Germination remote-tubular.

Common name:— palmeirinha-mirim.

Etymology:— The specific epithet, minor , refers to the small stature of this species.

Distribution and habitat:— Brazil, northwestern Minas Gerais in the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park in open cerrado vegetation. It is known along the northwestern border of Minas Gerais with Bahia. Since the park borders on Bahia, it is possible that this species occurs in the southwestern part of Bahia as well. Outside of the park the population continues for ca. 140 km east of Chapada Gaúcha, Minas Gerais in relatively undisturbed cerrados.

Conservation:— This species has a fairly large distribution along the northwestern border of Minas Gerais with Bahia. A large portion of the population is well protected within the confines of a national park (Grande Sertão Veredas). Outside of the park, this small acaulescent palm species is incompatible with the agricultural practices of soybean and Brachiaria grass seed growers. Since it is so well protected within a large national park and also still survives well in undisturbed cerrados between Chapada Gaúcha and Montalvania, Minas Gerais, the author does not consider this palm to be threatened, and therefore the species is classified as LC.

Phenology:— A few flowering specimens seen in June.

Uses:— Its fruits are easily accessed and consumed by animals. Its unusual small size would make it an interesting addition to any garden.

Notes:— This is possibly one of the smallest Syagrus species yet discovered. Other contenders for the smallest Syagrus are S. emasensis , S. lilliputiana and S. procumbens . However, S. minor is certainly an impressively small palm.

Representative specimens:— BRAZIL. Minas Gerais: Chapada Gaúcha, Parque Nacional Grande Sertão Veredas, 873 m, –15.41, –45.85, 10 June 2009, L.R. Noblick & R. Campos 5538 (HPL!); Chapada Gaúcha, Parque Nacional de Grande Sertão Veredas on park road (Formosa/Chapada Gaúcha) just 16 km W of the intersection with the paved road that goes to Chapada Gaúcha. ca. 872 m, –15.41, –45.98, 28 January 2014, L.R. Noblick & H. Lorenzi 5651 (ESA!, HPL!, BHCB!, FTG!, NY!); Chapada Gaúcha, 118 km E of the city on the road to Montalvania. ca. 691 m, –14.72, –44.82, 29 January 2014, L.R. Noblick & H. Lorenzi 5657 (ESA!, BHCB!, FTG!); Chapada Gaúcha, 135 km E of the city on the road to Montalvania. ca. 672 m, –14.62, –44.70, 29 January 2014, L.R. Noblick & H. Lorenzi 5658 (ESA!, FTG!).

150 • Phytotaxa 294 (1) © 2017 Magnolia Press

NOBLICK A REVISION OF THE GENUS SYAGRUS

Figures

FIGURE 49. Distribution maps of Syagrus lilliputiana, S. loefgrenii, S. longipedunculata, S. lorenzoniorum, S. macrocarpa, S. mendanhensis, S. menzeliana, S. microphylla and S. minor.

FIGURE 58. Syagrus minor. A. Small habit. B. Inflorescence with pistillate flowers. C. Four-parted staminate flower. D. Inflorescence. E. Infructescence. F. Underground stem. G. Above: two staminate flowers and two pistils; below: staminate flowers. All grids are in centimeters. (Noblick & Campos 5538).