Bactris mexicana
| Bactris mexicana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Bactris |
| Species: | B. mexicana |
| Binomial name | |
| Bactris mexicana | |
| Varieties[2] | |
| |
Bactris mexicana is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is native to Mexico and central America.
Bactris mexicana is a palm tree with spiny stems, compound leaves, and orange, egg-shaped fruits. It was described in 1844, and is considered Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Taxonomy
The species was described by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius in 1844.[2]
Two varieties are recognised:
Distribution
Bactris mexicana is native to the wet tropical biome of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. It is present in the south-east, south-west, and Gulf regions of Mexico.[2] It grows at elevations of up to 500 metres (1,600 ft). The species' estimated extent of occurrence is 400,557.724 square kilometres (154,656.202 sq mi).[1]
Bactris mexicana grows on moist and rocky soils, in wet forests, sub-evergreen high forests, and montane rainforests.[1]
Description
Bactris mexicana is a palm tree that can grow up to 3 metres (9.8 ft) high.[1] The stems are 2–3.5 centimetres (0.79–1.38 in) wide, and are usually spiny.[5]
The leaf stems are 35–100 centimetres (1.15–3.28 ft) long. The leaves are compound, and have eight to twenty-nine pinnae. The pinnae are arranged into irregular clusters.[5]
The male flowers are 2–4.5 millimetres (0.079–0.177 in) long, and have six stamens. The sepals have 1 millimetre (0.039 in) lobes. The petals are 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long. The female flowers are 3–5 millimetres (0.12–0.20 in) long. The calyx is cup shaped, and up to 1 millimetre (0.039 in) long. The corolla is tube-shaped, and 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long.[5]
The fruits are orange, egg-shaped, 0.8–1.2 centimetres (0.31–0.47 in) long, and 0.9–1.2 centimetres (0.35–0.47 in) wide. The mesocarp is powdery. The endocarp is shaped like a spinning top or beetroot, and is pitted on top.[5]
Ecology
The plant is eaten by Desmarest's spiny pocket mouse.[6]
Uses
Local people use Bactris mexicana to make baskets and furniture.[1]
Conservation
In 2021, the IUCN assessed Bactris mexicana as of Least Concern. The population is large and stable. In some parts of its range, the species is affected by deforestation. However, it is tolerant to disturbance.[1]
The species is present in protected areas, including the Rio Bravo Conservation and Management Area, the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Pico Bonito National Park, the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, and the Laguna de Términos flora and fauna protection area.[1]
Nomenclature
In Spanish, the species is known as jaguacté,[7] or chiquiyul. In Huastec, the species is known as cóyol. In Tzeltal, the species is known as chapay.[8]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Machuca Machuca, K.; Martínez Salas, E.; Quero, H.; Samain, M.-S (2022). "Bactris mexicana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022 e.T58405443A59431655. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T58405443A59431655.en. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 3 "Bactris mexicana". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ "Bactris mexicana var. mexicana". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- ↑ "Bactris mexicana var. trichophylla". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2026-06-19.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Bactris mexicana Mart". WorldFloraOnline.org. World Flora Online. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Bactris mexicana Mart". Eol.org. Encyclopedia of Life. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Bactris mexicana (BCTBA)". Gd.eppo.int. EPPO Global Database. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
- ↑ "Bactris mexicana Mart". CatalogueOfLife.org. Catalogue of Life. Retrieved 19 June 2026.
External links
Media related to Bactris mexicana at Wikimedia Commons
Data related to Bactris mexicana at Wikispecies