| Syagrus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Syagrus romanzoffiana | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Subfamily: | Arecoideae |
| Tribe: | Cocoseae |
| Subtribe: | Attaleinae |
| Genus: | Syagrus Mart.[1] |
| Synonyms[2] | |
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Syagrus is agenus ofArecaceae (palms), native toSouth America, with one speciesendemic to theLesser Antilles.[3] The genus is closely related to theCocos, or coconut genus, and manySyagrus species produce edible seeds similar to the coconut.
Palms in this genus usually have solitary stems; clustered stems are less common, and a few arestolon-like subterranean. The stems are normally spineless, but some species have spiny leaf sheaths or spines. Those species that have upright trunks grow 2–36 metres (7–118 ft) tall with stems that are 6–35 centimetres (2.4–13.8 in) in diameter.[4]
The leaves of all but one species,S. smithii, arepinnately compound.Leaf sheaths are split along their entire length, and consequently,crownshafts are not present in this genus. The transition from the leaf sheath to thepetiole can be gradual and difficult to identify, but in species where they can be distinguished, leaf sheaths are 2.5–180 cm (1–71 in) long and the petioles are 0–30 cm (0–12 in).[4]
Theinflorescences are unbranched or branch once; a single hybrid,S. ×lacerdamourae, occasionally shows second-order branching, and emerge from between the leaves. They aremonoecious, with both male and female flowers borne in the same inflorescence. The fruit are drupes, which vary in colour from green to orange to brown. They range in size from 1.2 to 1.9 cm (0.47 to 0.75 in) in length, and 0.7 to 4.5 cm (0.28 to 1.77 in) in diameter.[4]
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| Simplified phylogeny of members of the subtribeAttaleinae, based on seven WRKY gene loci.[5] |
Syagrus has been placed in thesubfamilyArecoideae, thetribeCocoseae and the subtribeAttaleinae, together with the generaAllagoptera,Attalea,Beccariophoenix,Butia,Cocos,Jubaea,Jubaeopsis,Parajubaea, andVoanioala.[6]
The genusLytocaryum is now included inSyagrus.[7] It has been treated as a distinct genus, differentiated only by abundanttomentum, strongly versatileanthers, and slight differences in thepericarp.[8]
As of May 2024[update],Plants of the World Online accepted the following species and hybrids:[2]
Syagrus is an almost entirely South American genus. The only non-South American species,S. amara, is endemic to five islands in theLesser Antilles. The genus is found from sea level to elevations of 1,800 metres (5,900 ft)above sea level.[4]
S. coronata nuts are the favored food ofLear's macaw, whose bill size and shape are particularly adapted to crack them.[10]
Syagrus species are used as food plants by thelarvae of someLepidoptera species includingBatrachedra nuciferae (recorded onS. coronae) andPaysandisia archon (recorded onS. romanzoffiana).
Syagrus weddellianum is a commonly potted plant throughoutEurope. It prefers shade and rich, friable, quickly draining soil with some acidity.[11]
Data related toSyagrus (plant) at Wikispecies
