Syagrus sancona (Kunth) Karsten (1857: 247)

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

55. Syagrus sancona (Kunth) Karsten (1857: 247) . Oreodoxa sancona Kunth in Humboldt, Bonpland & Kunth (1816: 304). Oenocarpus sancona (Kunth) Sprengel (1825: 140) . Palma sancona (Kunth) Kunth (1841: 182) . Cocos sancona (Kunth) Hooker (1884: 72) . Calappa sancona (Kunth) Kuntze (1891: 982) . Lectotype (designated by Glassman [1969: 89]):— COLOMBIA. Cundinamarca: Guaduas (Bogotá), no date, Karsten s.n. (LE)

Platenia chiragua Karsten (1857: 250) . Syagrus chiragua (H.Karst.) Wendland (1878: 257) . Cocos chiragua (H.Karst.) Beccari (1887: 446) . Neotype (designated by Bernal & Galeano [1989: 327]):— COLOMBIA. Norte de Santander: carretera Cicuta-Pamplona, 4 km al sur de la Donjuana, 950 m, 23 March 1987, R. Bernal & G. Galeano 1359 (neotype COL; isoneotypes AAU, BH, HUA, K, NY).

Cocos argentea Engel (1865: 690) . Syagrus argentea (Engel) Beccari (1916: 465) . Butia argentea (Engel) Nehrling (1929: 1) . Neotype (designated here):— COLOMBIA. without locality, without date, Engel s.n. (neotype LE [LE-00000906]).

Syagrus ecuadorensis Beccari (1916: 469) . Type:— ECUADOR. [Manabi:] Zapullo, ca. 1897, Eggers 15681 (holotype M, isotypes B, K!, L!, P!, US);

Syagrus tessmannii Burret (1933: 106) . Type :— PERU. Middle Marañon , near Apaga, 1924, Tessman 4811 (holotype B).

Figure 76 plate, Figure 77 map.

Large, solitary palm. Stem ca. 7–20(–30) m × (15–) 20–30 cm (35 cm at base), erect, columnar, self-cleaning, light gray colored trunk. Leaves 8–17; sheathing leaf base ca. 76–79 × 30–50 cm; pseudopetiole (50–) 75–100 cm long; petiole 0–15 × 3.5–4.5 cm, 2.0– 2.2 cm thick; rachis (130–) 210–310 cm long; leaflets slightly lighter on the abaxial surface, 130–188 along one side, in clusters of (2–)3–5(–6), inserted at various angles, giving the leaf a plumose appearance, ramenta scales or tomentum present where the leaflets are inserted on the rachis and also along the abaxial midvein; basal leaflets 41–70 × 0.3–1.1 cm, middle leaflets 55–100 × 3.5–5.5(–6.2) cm, apical leaflets 15– 44 × 0.3–1.5 cm mostly with acuminate tips. Inflorescence pendulous, spirally branched; prophyll 50–80 cm long; peduncular bract 72–150 cm, expanded portion 60–118 × 11–25 cm, including a 2.5–9.5 cm beak, 20–30 cm perimeter, 3–5 mm thickness, narrow, woody, sulcate, exterior with scattered thin indument; peduncle ca. 25–50 × 2–3 cm, 1.0– 1.5 cm thick, elliptical in cross-section, glabrous; inflorescence axis (61–) 70–140 cm long; rachis 32– 100 cm long; rachillae 78–180, glabrous, 12–31 cm long at the apex, 31–70 cm long at the base; staminate flowers lanceolate, ovate or obovate, 6–11 mm long at the apex, 9–13 × 4–7 mm at the base, green to yellow, sepals 1–2.5 × 2 mm, glabrous, with raised nerves, petals 5–10 mm long at the apex, 8–13 × 5–12 mm at the base with acute tips, stamens 4.5–7 mm long, anthers 4–7 mm long, filaments 1–3 mm long, pistillode 0.5–1 mm long; basal pistillate flowers conical, (5–)7–12 × (4–) 6–8 mm, light yellow, glabrous, mostly strongly nerved or rugose, with blunt or rounded tips, sepals 6–9 × 5–8 mm, petals 7–9.5 × 4–7 mm, glabrous, pistil 4.5–6 × 3–4 mm, glabrous or waxy scaly, stigmas less than 2 mm long, glabrous, staminodal ring ca. 1 mm high, 6-dentate. Fruit ellipsoid, 3–3.5 × 1.5–2.3 cm, yellow, yellow-orange when mature, glabrous, epicarp less than 1 mm thick, mesocarp oily, 2–3 mm

192 • Phytotaxa 294 (1) © 2017 Magnolia Press

NOBLICK thick, succulent and fibrous; endocarp ca. 2.2–3 × 1.5–2.2 cm, 1.5–2 mm thick on its sides, 2–3 mm thick at the ends; seed ellipsoid ca. 1.5–1.8 × 0.8–1.0 cm, endosperm homogeneous. Germination remote-tubular.

A REVISION OF THE GENUS SYAGRUS

Phytotaxa 294 (1) © 2017 Magnolia Press • 193

Common name:— mapora, zancona, palma sancona , chonta, palma real, inchavi, catolé, pifaia, jaciarana, açairana, colombian fox-tail, south-american-foxtail-palm, sumuqué, ouricuri, tiba, sumuquich, mumuquich, yataí, quirache, guirache.

Etymology:— The specific epithet, sancona , may be a common name used in the region where Humboldt and Bonpland first collected this palm. Kuntze wrote in the original description “ Palma sancona incoloram ,” which translates as Sancona palm of the inhabitants.

Distribution and habitat:— In primary and secondary tropical forests and areas of pasture, always on terra firme. Grows in Acre and western Amazonas, Brazil. It occurs also in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in forests of the Andina region at elevations to 1200 m.

Conservation:— This species is widely distributed along the Andes. It is also frequently cultivated in the region, often used as a street tree in Bolivia. It is classified as least concern, LC.

Phenology:— This species fruits in spring (October–December).

Uses:— Species is ornamental, cultivated in the city of Rio Branco, Brazil and used as a street tree in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The fruits are oily, but there is no record for the use of its oil. The Parque Zoobotânico of the Universidade Federal do Acre has an experimental planting of this species and has supplied seeds for seedling production.

Notes:— This is a tall, solitary Andean Syagrus with inflorescences containing an unusually high number of rachillae, close to 200. Each infructescence produces ca. 1,500 yellow fruits.

When Karsten described Syagrus chiragua (as Platenia chiragua ), he remarked that it grew like S. sancona , but he provided no illustrations and cited no specimens. The species was designated as a species dubium by Glassman (1987: 91). He wrote that Karsten’s description was incomplete and that there was nothing in his description that would indicate that this was even a species of Syagrus , but that if it is Syagrus , it could be either Syagrus orinocensis or Syagrus sancona . Bernal and Galeano-Garces (1989) traveled to the type locality and confirmed it to be Syagrus sancona .

Bernal and Galeano-Garces (1989) reported: “Concerning the common name chiragua reported by Karsten, it must be noted that this name is not currently applied to this species in the region of Pamplona; the name presently used is quirache, which is probably not different from the guirache reported by Engel (1865) for his Cocos argentea Engel [ Syagrus argentea (Engel) Becc. ], described from the same general area. Actually, Syagrus argentea is also a synonym of Syagrus sancona , as recently proved by Wessels Boer (1988).” Therefore, Syagrus argentea is no longer a doubtful or uncertain species as designated by Glassman (1987), but is Syagrus sancona and included in the synonymy above. A supposed isotype ( JSTOR, 2016) of Cocos argentea was found at the Komarov Botanical Institute (LE) herbarium. Franz Engel (1834–1920) was born and died in cities about 35 miles apart in northeastern Germany. On the specimen label it listed the original institution as Herbarium Horti Botanici Imperialis Petri Magni (a Russian herbarium?). Engel travelled extensively in South America from 1857–1863, when he was in his 20’s. The closest major German herbarium to him at the time was in Berlin, ca. 70 miles away from his home. Since some of his collections were found in Berlin (B), the original holotype is presumed destroyed in Berlin as a result of World War II. Since Engel (1865) never listed any specimens in his original protologue, he did not designate any types.The specimen at LE is indeed an appropriate choice for a type specimen, since it was collected and verified by Engel, but it cannot be an isotype, therefore it is herein designated as a neotype.

Representative specimens:— BOLIVIA. Beni: Ballivian, 35 km en coamino de Yucumo a Rurrenabaque, Colegio Técnico Agropecuário Río Colorado, 235 m, –14.83, –67.03, 20–25 June 1989, D.N. Smith et al. 13565 ( BOLV, LPB, MBM!, MO, NY!, U, USZ); Espiritu, isla Espíritu, 200 m, March 1990, M. Moraes 1271 ( LPB) ; Estación Biologica Beni, Río Curiraba , 250 m, –14.67, –66.00, 4 April 1986, M. Moraes 792–793 ( LPB) ; Río Aguas Negras , 250 m, –14.47, –66.43, 14 September 1987, M. Moraes 897 ( LPB) ; Vaca Diez, Along Río Beni (here called Río Madre de Dios on some maps), vic. Florida , 125 m, –10.83, –65.85, 13 September 1985, M.H. Nee 31904 ( LPB, MO!, NY); Yacuma, Espiritu, Isla Lucumo, Río Yacuma , 200 m, 29 September 1979, Beck 2640 ( LPB, US) ; La Paz: Abel Iturralde, Parque Nacional Madidi, Asariamas , sector San Martin , 1216 m, –14.16, – 68.72, 18 July 2013, A.F. Fuentes Claros et al. 18351 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Parque Nacional Madidi, Rio Tuichi , arroyo Pintata , 750 m, –14.43, –68.59, 5 December 2005, A. Araujo Murakami 2695 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Parque Nacional Madidi, camino Apolo-Azariamas , arroyo Pintata. Bajando 400 m del campamento en direccion NE, aproximadamente a 5 minutos saliendo del camino, 860 m, –14.47, –68.54, 20 February 2003, L.E. Cayola Pérez 78 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Area Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi , Azariamas, frente al

194 • Phytotaxa 294 (1) © 2017 Magnolia Press

NOBLICK arroyo Jaukantista , 656 m, –14.24, –68.53, 29 September 2005, L.E. Cayola Pérez 1983 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Area Natural de Manejo Integrado Madidi, Azariamas , 2 km al E del arroyo Javillas , 933 m, –14.25, – 68.53, 27 November 2005, L.E. Cayola Pérez 2223 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Parque Nacional Madidi, Azariamas , 1 km al N del rio Chiriuno , 853 m, –14.25, –68.59, 3 December 2005, L.E. Cayola Pérez 2306 ( LPB, MO) ; Franz Tamayo, Parque Nacional Madidi, Azariamas , Rio San Juan , 991 m, 8 October 2005, V.W. Torrez Flores 175 ( AAU, LPB, MO) ; Sud Yungas, 15 km de Palos Brancos en camino a San Borja , 990 m, 12 July 1987, M. Moraes & H. Balslev 843 ( AAU!, BOL, LPB!, MO, US!); Pando: Nicolás Suárez, Los Angeles, 280 m, –11.30, –69.22, 20 July 1992, Ely et al. 29 (K, LPB, MO, NY) ; Molienda , –11.43, –69.13, 13 August 1992, Ely et al. 65 (K, LPB, NY) ; Santa Cruz: Andrés Ibañez, Cercado , 460 m 12 April 1990, L.R. Moreno 31 ( LPB, NY!) ; Campus da universidade, 1 km NW de la ciudad, 415 m, –17.77, –63.18, 15 September 1988, M. Salcias Paz 441 ( MO, NY) ; Guarayos , ao largo del camino ca. 30 km N de Sant Julián, 500 m, 14 August 1982, M.J. Balick et al. 1429 (F!, LPB, MO, NY!) ; Parque Nacional Noel Kempff Mercado, 15 km SE del campamento Los Fierros, en sendero al aserradero Tarbo, 225 m, –14.67, –60.77, M. Saldias et al. 3370 ( NY!, USZ); 5 km S de Perserverancia , 280 m, – 14.68, –62.62, 2 July 1992, I.G. Vargas et al. 1543 ( LPB, MO) ; Reserva de Vida Silvestre ríos Balanco y Negro , concepsión Oquiriquia , 2–3 km SW del campamento a largo del Río San Martín, 300 m, –15.05, –61.80, 11 September 1993, I.G. Vargas et al. 2798 ( LPB, MO, USZ) ; Velasco, Campamento El Refugio, 3 km NE del campamento, a 2800 m al NE de la casa, em la Bahia Las Petas , 150 m, –14.75, –61.03, 26 June 1994, R. Guillén 1943 ( NY!, USZ); BRAZIL. Acre: 20 June 1989, D.N. Smith 13565 ( MBM) ; 8 February 1999, J.R. Bandeira 85 ( HPZ) ; Rio Branco [–9.97, –67.81], 20 September 1993, E. Ferreira 210 ( HPZ) ; COLOMBIA. Cundinamarca: Rio Guapaya, Sierra de la Macrena, 1949, Philipson et al. 1656 ( BM, F!, COL); North de Santander: carretera Cúcuta Pamplona 4 km al sur de la Donjuana, 950 m, 23 March 1987, R. Bernal & G. Galeano 1359 ( AAU!) ; Valle del Cauca: Hoya del río de la Vieja, entre Piedra de Moler [10.45, –75.13] y Alto del Dinde [2.73, –76.75], 1170 m, 17 November 1946, J. Cuatrecasas 22971 ( COL, F!, MO); ECUADOR. El Oro: Machala-Cuenca road, 3 km from Uzhcurrumi to Santa Isabel, 300 m, –3.32, –79.55, 14 May 1987, H. Balslev et al. 62525 ( AAU, MO) ; Esmeraldas: Hda. Monte Armelo 12 km south of Borbón, 50 m, 1.08, –79.00, 17–18 July 1985, A.S. Barfod 60080 ( AAU!, MO); Los Ríos: Vinces , 3 August 1978, C.H. Dodson 6968 ( MO) ; Vinces, Jauneche Forest , between Mocachi and Palenque on Estero Peñafiel, 70 m, –1.27, –79.70, 25 January 1981, A.H. Gentry 30802 ( AAU, MO, SEL) ; Manabi: without date (ca. 1897?), H. Eggers 15681 (K, MO, US); Napo: ca. 5 km downriver from Pañacocha , 200 m, –0.45, –76.05, 16 April 1987, H. Balslev et al. 62466 ( AAU, MO) ; North of Archidona-San Pablo rd. Quichua homegarden, 700 m, –0.93, –77.77, 3 January 1991, Pederson 97644 ( AAU, MO) ; PERU, Amazonas: Bagua: Imaza-Bagua road, 89 km from Imaza , 500 m, 23 May 1990, F. Kahn & F. Borchsenius 2584 (P!); Loreto: Coronel Portillo, Buenos Aires, 1960, H.E. Moore, et al. 8408 ( BH) ; Madre de Dios: –12.00, –70.25, 26 August 1984, R.B. Foster 9910 (F!); Pasco: Oxapampa, trail between Yanahuanca and Chumalli along Río Pozuzo , 820–1100 m, –10.52, –76.50, 15–16 March 1984, D.N. Smith 6376 ( MO) ; San Martin: Outskirts of Tarapoto , –6.50, –76.42, 15 February 1984, A.H. Gentry 45573 ( MO) ; 8 km N of road from Tarapato to Shapaja, 1960, H.E. Moore et al. 8537 ( BH) ; VENEZUELA. Barinas: Barrancas, without date, J.P. Schultz 418a (U); Barrancas, 1967, J.G. Wessels Boer 1762 (F!, U), 1766 (F!, U); Socopó , along Hwy. 5, 1966, J.A. Steyermark & Rabe 96519 ( BH, GH!, NY, U, US, VEN); Bolívar: Cerro Pichacho [Tumeremo], 1961, J.A. Steyermark 88913 ( BH, F!, NY, U, VEN); Mérida: 2–4 km above dam site on Río Guaimaral , 200–400 m, 7.75, –71.483, 16 March 1981, R.L. Liesner 10680 (F!, MO!) ; Portuguesa: 30 km west of Guanare by air. Along Río Tucupido , 200–300 m, 9.03, –70.02, 13 March 1982, R.L. Liesner 12656 ( MO) .

Figures

FIGURE 76. Syagrus sancona. A. Habit cultivated at MBC. B. Crown in Bolivia. C. Inflorescence with long numerous rachillae. D. Crown near Santa Cruz, Bolivia, showing plumose leaves. E. Inflorescences. F. Inflorescence with receptive pistillate flowers. G. Flowers, first row: staminate flowers; second: pistillate flowers; third: pistillate sepals; fourth row: pistillate petals and pistil. Grid is in centimeters.

FIGURE 77. Distribution maps of Syagrus sancona, S. santosii, S. schizophylla, S. smithii, S. stenopetala, S. stratincola and S. vagans.