580,5

FB

V, 20:5-7

V, 22:6-10

1942

cop, 2

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA

BY

GREGORIO BONDAR

BOTANICAL SERIES

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

VOLUME 22, NUMBER 9

JUNE 15, 1942

PUBLICATION 517

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA

BY

GREGORIO BONDAR

BOTANICAL SERIES

FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

VOLUME 22, NUMBER 9

JUNE 15, 1942

PUBLICATION 517

PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA*

BY GREGORIO BONDAR

Cocos vagans Bondar, sp. nov. Boletim 4, Inst. Centr. Fom.

Econ. Bahia (1939) pp. 10-12, figs. 5-7, 12 (without latin diagnosis).

Caudex horizontale inclinatus, subterraneus, cum basibus per-

sistentibus foliarum squamosus, asperus, sub terram ramificans.

Foliae subconcinnae, strictae, 3 m. longae, 20-30 in gregibus aggre-

gatae. Foliolae lineares, angulos acutos cum rachite formantes.

Spatha erecta, plus minusve 1 m. longa, fusiformis, compressa,

acuminata, pedunculo elliptico, gracili, rachite 30-40 cm. longa,

ramis exsertis 30-40 cm. longis. Flores femininae globosi-pyrami-

dales, sepalis coriaceis breviapiculatis, petalis minoribus membra-

naceis, ovaria conica, stigmatibus confluentibus. Flores masculinae

brevipedunculatae, calyce minuto, sepalis triangularibus et cari-

natis, petalis lanceolatis apice obtusis, antheris ad extremitates

bifidis in filamentum breve medio insertis. Drupa elongata, 3.5x1.8

cm., acuminata, bracteis sepalisque petalisque persistentibus,

androecio 6-dentato, abortive, exocarpio in maturitate luteoviridi,

putamine ad extremitates conico, endocarpio osseo, papyraceo,

fragili, interiore cum 3 vittis fuscis nitidis delineate. Semen leve,

album.

This apparently acaulous palm of the caatingas of the interior of

Bahia, at 300-400 m. above sea level, is abundant in the municipios

* Since the palms constitute such an important element of the flora of Brazil,

it should be a matter of satisfaction to Brazilians that once more, for the first

time since the days of Barbosa Rodrigues, these palms are being studied in the

field, as they should be, and are being described not in the Old World but in

Brazil. Many numbers of the recent publications of Institute Central de Fomento

EconSmico da Bahia, 1939 to 1941, are thus devoted to palms. All of them are

from the pen of Dr. Gregorio Bondar, long a resident of Bahia and known not

only for his work on cacao in Brazil but also for his many entomological contri-

butions. Several Bondar publications on palms are reviewed in Tropical Woods,

No. 69 (1942): Boletim No. 2 (1938), O Licuriseiro (Cocos coronata Mart.) e suas

possibilidades na economia brasileira; Boletim No. 4 (1939), Palmeiras na Bahia

do Genero Cocos; Boletim No. 5 (1939), Importancia economica das palmeiras

nativas do genero Cocos nas zonas seccas do interior bahiano; Boletim No. 6

(1939), Palmeiras da Bahia; Boletim No. 9 (1941), Palmeiras do Genero Cocos

e descrigao de duas especies novas. All of these, as well as a later paper, probably

still unpublished, on the Attalea palms of Bahia, testify to the keen observation

and critical sense of their author, his grasp of his subject, and intimate acquaint-

ance with the plants of which he writes.

As may be inferred from some of the above titles, Dr. Bondar does not accept

Beccari's generally unchallenged treatment of the genus Cocos, with its many

457

458 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. 22

of S. Ignez, Maracas, S. Teresinha, etc., covering great stretches,

generally in association with C. coronata Mart., or forming isolated

patches. Vernacular name "ariri," but also called "licurioba."

Leaves are subconcinnate; drupes at maturity greenish yellow;

endocarp smooth, thin and readily broken; seeds 2.4 cm. long, 1 cm.

in diameter, white, oily, covered by a white pellicle, externally

reddish, of bitter taste.

The species approaches most closely to Cocos petrea Mart.

from which it differs principally in its branched spadices, whitish

tomentum of leaves and fruit, and smaller staminate flowers. Coll.

G. Bondar (isotype Field Museum 619777).

Cocos Tostana Bondar, sp. nov. Op. cit. pp. 13-15, figs. 8, 9,

12, (without latin diagnosis).

Caudex erectus, mediocris. Foliae rigidae, erectae, non curvatae,

2.5-3 m. longae, petiolis quam foliis y$ longioribus, spinas marginales

ad basem petiolae longas superiore curtas atque inclinatas ferentibus,

parte suprema glabra. Foliolae lineares, acuminatae, ad basem

foliae subaggregatae in duo planibus ad 15° divaricatae, superne

in una plana equidistantes. Spadix 1.3-1.4 m. longa, rachite ramosa

50-60 cm. longa, ramis numerosis, angularibus, nodosis. Flores

femininae conicae, sessiles. Flores masculinae in scrobiculis, pedi-

cellis 1 mm. longis, antheris linearibus basim sagittatis, ad tertium

basalem in filimentum insertis. Drupa ante maturitatem obovoidea

4 cm. X 2.6 cm., aurantiaco-rubra in maturitate, globosa, succulenta,

pulpa fibrosa, putamine elongate externe fibroso ad extremitates

acuto, endocarpio crasso, ad extremitates crassiore, interne levi,

3-vittato. Semen solidum, albumine uniformi.

segregations, considered by him artificial and founded only on the study of

the kind of fragmentary material by which the palms are represented in almost

all herbaria. A new revision of Cocos at his hands would be quite in order; but

for the present at least, Dr. Bondar prefers to confine his publications to species

of which he has gained a thorough knowledge by adequate personal observations

in the field. In this connection it is of interest to remark that some of the species

he describes were studied by him, sometimes primarily and originally, as host

plants of particulate insect inhabitants. It is, however, to be expected that his

ideas on the subject of Cocos may be developed and set forth by him eventually

as opportunities for further field observations are afforded. In the meantime new

species of Cocos described by him will doubtless by transferred promptly by other

authors to Syagrus or other customary segregate genera.

Type material of Dr. Bondar's new species has been deposited in the herbarium

of Field Museum. It therefore seems appropriate that the latin diagnoses of new

species required by the international rules since Jan. 1, 1935, but not included with

his detailed descriptions in Portuguese, be published without further delay. In view

of the fact that Dr. Bondar's name now appears on the list of the scientific staff

of Field Museum as Research Associate, it is a pleasure to be able to record

these new species in the Museum's Botanical Series. — B. E. DAHLGREN

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA 459

This palm is rare in Bahia. It is characterized by its stem of

medium size, 2-3 meters high and 10 to 15 cm. in diameter, bearing

stiff erect leaves; by its persistent petioles not in distinct spirals;

by the orange-red color of its fruit when ripe; and by its thick en-

docarp and nonruminate albumen. Vernacular name "licurioba-

ussu."

Its habitat is near the littoral, not far from the city of Bahia

with C. coronata Mart, and C. schizophylla Mart. It is apparently

intermediate between these. It differs from C. coronata in its green,

not grayish, leaves with segments but little divaricate at base, the

apical ones in one plane, and the cavity of the endocarp marked

by three bands (in C. coronata there is usually one). It differs from

S. schizophylla in its larger size, its erect leaves with broader and

clasping bases of the petioles, and its oblique spines diminishing

upward, finally disappearing and leaving a smooth-edged interval

below the rachis. Its spadix is more robust, its staminate flowers

larger. The filaments attached at the basal third (in C. schizophylla

at the middle), the albumen smooth (in C. schizophylla ruminate).

Coll. G. Bondar (isotype Field Museum 619775).

Cocos Matafome Bondar, sp. nov. Op. cit. pp. 16-18, figs. 10-12

(without latin diagnosis).

Caudex erectus, C. coronata Mart, simulans. Foliae erectae, ad

3 mm. longae, petiolis persistentibus quam foliis Y^ longioribus, non

in cristis distinctis disposites. Foliolae in gregibus de 2-5 aggregatae,

luteo-virides, fragiles. Spadix ad 2 m. longa, pedunculo ad 1.2 m.

longo, rachite sulcata, ramis numerosis plus minusve 60, ad 50 cm.

longis. Flores femininae sepalis obtusis imbricatis involventes,

petalis minoribus acuminatis. Flores masculinae petalis lanceolatis

obtuse acuminatis involventes, antheris ad tertiam basalem insertis.

Drupa elongata, in maturitate luteo-viridi, putamine elongate,

acuminate, fibroso, interne 3-vittato. Semen leve, cavum, ante

maturitatem amarum.

The vernacular name is "matafome", referring to the edible

qualities of its kernels. This palm was found in the interior of Bahia

in the Municipio of S. Teresinha near Lagedo Alto, growing singly

or in groups in association with C. vagans Bondar and C. coronata

Mart. It appears to be intermediate between these. It has the

trunk characters of the latter, but not its spiral arrangement of

leaves. It resembles C. vagans in leaves, inflorescences, drupes, and

kernels, but also differs in respect to all these characters. It cannot

460 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. 22

be considered a variety of C. coronata, because it is closer to C. vagans

from which it differs essentially in its erect trunk, also in its fibrous

putamen. Its leaves are green, not grayish as in C. coronata; its

leaf-segments are less stiff and more fragile. The endocarp differs

from that of C. coronata in having the cavity marked with three

bands, instead of one as in the latter. Coll. G. Bondar (isotype

Field Museum 619770).

Cocos Campos-Portoana Bondar, sp. nov. Bol. 6, Inst. Centr.

Fom. Econ. Bahia (1939) pp. 7-9, figs. 2, 3, 6 (without latin

diagnosis).

Caudex erectus, robustus, annulatus. Foliae erecto-incurvae,

robustae, crispae, petiolis persistentibus in spira pentasticha dispo-

sitis. Foliolae lineares, asymmetrico-acuminatae, forte divaricatae,

5-6 in gregibus. Spadices grandes, 2-2.4 m. longae, rachite longi- et

multi-ramosa, ramis exsertae, usque ad 80 cm. longis. Flores

femininae sepalis involventes, petalis minoribus subtridentatis,

androecio abortive, annulate, marginibus levibus. Florum mas-

culinarum calyces minusculae gamosepalae, petalis lanceolatis ob-

tuso-acuminatis, antheris non bifurcatis. Drupa subglobosa, 3.2X3

cm. lata, in maturitate luteo-pallido-viridis, pulpa fibrosa, gummosa,

esculenta, endocarpio elongate, osseo, crasso, intus monovittato,

levi. Semen leve, 11 mm. X 10 mm. latum, apice conica.

This palm was found at fazenda Gangugy on the upper Rio

Gungugy, municipio de Pogoes, at an elevation of 300-400 meters,

in the state of Bahia. Local name, "licuri-assu."

It differs from C. Romanzoffiana Cham, in its persistent petioles

in five rows, its larger fruit, and its thicker endocarp with smooth

cavity; from C. coronata Mart, in its much more imposing size, its

much larger spadices, its large male flowers, and its thick endocarp.

Coll. G. Bondar (isotype Field Museum 619765).

Attalea Burretiana Bondar, sp. nov. — Caudex plus que 10 m.

altus levis, foliis erectis circa 10 m. longis patentibus, ad apicem

recurvatis et in angulo 90° tortis, foliolis suboppositis aequidis-

tantibus in una plana directis, non pendentibus. Flores masculinae

in scrobiculo parvo binae, petalis 16-18 mm. longis lanceolatis

acuminatis, marginibus levibus vel vix irregulari-denticulatis,

staminibus 6-7, 8-9 m. longis. Spadix androgynus ad 2 m. longus,

pedunculo et rachite glabra, ramis numerosis, floribus 1-4, bracteis

4 (2 parvis et abortivis, 2 grandis), sepalis et petalis subaequalibus

marginibus levibus, disco androecio circulari margini levi vix sinuoso

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA 461

baud dentato. Drupa ovoidea ochraceo-ferruginea 8-10 cm. longa

diametro 5.5-6 cm. ad apice acuminata, exocarpio fibroso tenui

(ad 1.5 mm. crasso), mesocarpio pulposo 3-4 mm. crasso, endocarpio

8-10 mm. crasso externe fibroso interne ad 5-6 mm. osseo, putamine

rostrato basin triangulari, seminibus 1-3.

Differs from A. compta Mart.1 in number of stamens, from

A. oleifera Barb. Rodr. in number of seeds, non-tomentose rachis,

and non-dentate petals of female flowers, and from A. funifera Mart,

in flowers, drupes, and regularly spaced leaf-segments.

Named in honor of Professor M. Burret, Berlin-Dahlem, who

called my attention to this palm.

Bahia, municipios adjacent to the capital, altitudes of 10 to 100

meters, in association with A. Piassabossu Bondar. A majestic

ornamental palm, fruiting only after developing a trunk. Local

name "palmeira". Municipio da Bahia, Aratu, coll. G. Bondar

(isotype Field Museum 619754).

Attalea concentrista Bondar, sp. nov. — Caudex altus, foliis

grandis erectis patentibus, foliolis suboppositis equidistantibus in una

plana dispositis, petiolo et rachite dorsale dealbata. Spadicis mas-

culini pedunculus et rachis cinereo-tomentosa, ramis albis tomentosis,

floribus solitariis in scrobiculis, petalis 20-21 mm. longis, staminibus

6, quam petalis % (semper plus que ^) longioribus. Spadicis

androgyni pedunculus et rachis luteo-albidus levis, florium foe-

mininarum marginibus bractearum et sepalorum et petalorum levibus

haud dentatis, cupula androecii circulari marginibus edentatis, %

ovariam includenta. Drupa oblonga umbonata ochraceo-ferruginea

scabra 9 cm. longa, diametro 5.5-6 cm., perianthio ^ drupae al-

titudine alto, seminibus 1-3.

Approaches A. compta Mart., differing in number of stamens.

Differs from A. oleifera Barb. Rodr. in that the petals of female

flowers are not dentate, the androecial disk is circular, the petals

1 Of the thirteen species of Attalea remaining since Burret's revision of this

genus in 1929, three are known to exist in Bahia, A. funifera Mart., A. compta

Mart, and A. humilis Mart., all inhabiting the littoral zone. To these should

possibly be added A. oleifera Barb. Rodr. as existing on the Rio Sao Francisco.

The rather recently described A. acaulis Burret, growing in dune formations in

the vicinity of the capital, must doubtless be considered as a somewhat depauper-

ate form of the well-known "piassabeira" or piassaba palm, A. funifera, which

in poor soil fails to form a trunk. There exist, however, several other large and

tall-stemmed palms of this genus, sufficiently distinct to have local vernacular

designations, "andaia", "piassabossu", "palmeira" and "pindobassu". I have

treated of these at some length in a still unpublished paper presented before the

botanical section of a recent Geographical Congress in Brazil, but there without

the formal latin diagnoses. G. BONDAR

462 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY — BOTANY, VOL. 22

of the male flowers are larger; from A. Burretiana Bondar in that

the male flowers are smaller and are solitary in scrobiculi, the

androecium is larger and encloses %j of ovary.

State of Bahia, municipios de S. Antonio de Jesus, Amargosa,

Areia, S. Ignez, at altitudes of 200-400 m. Local name "andaia".

Leaves used for thatch, the fruit for food, the seeds for oil extraction.

Coll. G. Bondar (isotype Field Museum 619759).

Attalea Piassabossu Bondar sp. nov. — Caudex circa 10 m.

altus, foliis grandis circa 10 m. longis erectis, petiolis persistentibus

fibres duros divergentes marginales ferentibus, vaginis foliolarum

fibres ("piassava") crassos duros ferentibus, foliolis 1 m. longis

suboppositis, 6 cm. latis, aequidistantibus saepe flaccidis, lateris

foliae angulo 160° divergentibus. Spadix masculinus 1.8-2 m.

longus, pedunculo 0.8-1 m. longo, ferrugineo-tomentoso subcylin-

draceo, rachite alba scabra non tomentosa nodosa, ramis basin

crassis; floribus basalibus grandis sparsis, in scrobiculis binis, floribus

superioribus solitariis et coactatis; petalis 25-30 mm. longis lanceo-

lati-acuminatis medio latissimis, marginibus levibus; staminibus

florum basalium 7, florum apicalium 6, 10-11 mm. longis. Spadix

androgynus 2 m. longus, floribus foemininis albellis grandis 3 (una

abortiva 2 m. longa, duo 6-7 mm. longis), sepalis apice rotundis

marginibus levibus; androecio cupulari, margine levi vix sinuoso

haud dentato. Drupa ferruginea oblonga, obtuse-acuminata, 9 cm.

longa diametro 5.5-6 cm., perianthio % drupae altitudine alto,

petalis apiculatis; exocarpio fibroso 1.5-2 mm. crasso, mesocarpio

5-6 mm. crasso, endocarpio duro 8-10 mm. crasso; seminibus 1-3,

putamine oblongo transverse circular! vix fibroso.

Differs from A. compta Mart, in size of flowers and number of

stamens, from A. funifera Mart, in its simply pectinate leaves which

are not plumose, with segments not in groups, and in its thick

piassava fiber and different flowers; from A. Burretiana Bondar in

its less recurved leaves, its larger flowers and drupes.

Bahia, municipios adjacent to capital, where it grows in associa-

tion with A. Burretiana on soils of gneissic-primary origin and with

A. funifera on tertiary soil. Vernacular name "piassabossu". The

leaves are employed for thatch; the kernels are edible and used for

oil. Municipio de Bahia, Alegre, coll. G. Bondar (isotype Field

Museum 619762).

Attalea Pindobassu Bondar, sp. nov.— Caudex ad 15 m. altus

levis nonnumquam partim inaequalis atque nodosus, petiolis 2-3 m.

NEW PALMS OF BAHIA 463

longis persistentibus, foliis ad 12 m. longis erectis atroviridibus,

petiolo et rachite dorsale ferrugineo-tomentosa, superiore atro-

viridi, foliolis 60-70 cm. longis, 3.5-4.5 cm. latis, suboppositis 5-6

mm. in eadem plana aequidistantibus nonnihil pendulis, lateris

foliae angulo 180° divergentibus. Spadicis masculini pedunculus

1 m. longus subcylindraceus tomentoso-ferrugineus, rachite albo-

tomentosa, floribus 16-18 mm. longis, 6-7 mm. latis, in scrobiculis

solitariis alternatim et lateraliter dispositis, petalis imbricatis lato-

lanceolatis incurvatis apiculatis, marginibus irregularibus minute

serratis, staminibus 12 (raro 11) % longitudinem floris attingentibus.

Spadicis androgyni flores foemininae albellae, bracteis 3 (1 parvo

abortive, 2 majoribus), sepalis imbricatis vix apiculatis, marginibus

levibus, petalis apiculatis marginibus levibus, disco cupulari margine

levi. Drupa ferrugineo-tomentosa oblonga apiculata rostrata 8-9 cm.

longa, diametro 4.5-5 cm., perianthio %-% drupae altitudine alto,

disco androecio diametro 3 cm. lato margine levi, exocarpio duro

ligneo fibroso 4-5 mm. crasso, mesocarpio pulposo albo oleagineo

1.5 mm. crasso, endocarpio osseo 6-8 mm. crasso, putamine 7 cm.

longo rostrato, seminibus 1-3 raro 4-5.

Differs from other Attaleas of Bahia in number of stamens (12),

a number most nearly approached in A. compta Mart, (with 10 to 12).

It differs from the latter in having longer male flowers and drupes

covered to greater extent by perianth.

Bahia, center of state, municipios de Campo Formoso, Saude,

Jacobina, Miguel Calmon, at altitudes of 400-700 meters. The

tree fruits after forming a trunk of 2-3 m. Old leaf stalks are long

persistant. Vernacular name "pindobassu". Serra de Ouro, coll.

G. Bondar (isotype Field Museum 619761).

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA

30112041653723