Allagoptera

Genus of palms From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Allagoptera is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in South America consisting of 5 accepted species. Compared to other genera within the Cocoseae Allagoptera is described as particularly specialized.[3] The genus name is a Greek combination of "change" and "feather", describing the full leaf; it was formerly named Diplothemium.

Quick facts Scientific classification, Type species ...
Allagoptera
Allagoptera arenaria
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Arecoideae
Tribe: Cocoseae
Subtribe: Attaleinae
Genus: Allagoptera
Nees[1]
Type species
Allagoptera arenaria
Kuntze
Species
Synonyms[2]
  • Diplothemium Mart.
  • Diplothenium Voigt
  • Polyandrococos Barb.Rodr.
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Description

Allagoptera produces very short or acaulescent trunks and in cases where the trunk grows erect it often makes a downward turn leaving the crown below the trunk-base. The trunks in Allagoptera are among the few in the palm family which tend to bifurcate, producing multiple heads per unit. The pinnate leaves are gently arching to 2 m and are carried on long, slender petioles which are adaxially channeled. The single-fold leaflets are regularly or irregularly arranged on the rachis each protruding into a different plane, creating a plumose leaf. The unusual spicate inflorescence emerges from within the leaf-crown carrying the pistilate flowers basally with the staminate flowers growing distally. The single-seeded fruit is yellow to brown, growing in crowded clusters.[4]

Species

More information Image, Scientific name ...
ImageScientific nameDistribution
Allagoptera arenariaAtlantic Coast of Brazil
Allagoptera brevicalyxBahia, Brazil
Allagoptera campestrisArgentina, Brazil, Paraguay.
Allagoptera caudescensBrazil
Allagoptera leucocalyxParaguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina
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Distribution and habitat

Palms in this genus are found in Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Argentina growing in a variety of habitats. Some thrive in sandy beaches and dunes, while others are found in woodlands; Allagoptera species are also common along sandstone hills and in the Cerrado vegetation.

References

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