''Syagrus coronata'', commonly known as the ouricury palm, aricuri palm, or licuri palm, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

palm tree The Arecaceae () is a family of perennial, flowering plants in the monocot order Arecales. Their growth form can be climbers, shrubs, tree-like and stemless plants, all commonly known as palms. Those having a tree-like form are colloquially c ...

that is native to eastern

Brazil Brazil, officially the Federative Republic of Brazil, is the largest country in South America. It is the world's List of countries and dependencies by area, fifth-largest country by area and the List of countries and dependencies by population ...

, ranging from the southern part of the state of

Pernambuco Pernambuco ( , , ) is a States of Brazil, state of Brazil located in the Northeast Region, Brazil, Northeast region of the country. With an estimated population of 9.5 million people as of 2024, it is the List of Brazilian states by population, ...

, into the state of

Bahia Bahia () is one of the 26 Federative units of Brazil, states of Brazil, located in the Northeast Region, Brazil, Northeast Region of the country. It is the fourth-largest Brazilian state by population (after São Paulo (state), São Paulo, Mina ...

, south to the Jequitinhonha River in the state of

Minas Gerais Minas Gerais () is one of the 27 federative units of Brazil, being the fourth largest state by area and the second largest in number of inhabitants with a population of 20,539,989 according to the 2022 Brazilian census, 2022 census. Located in ...

. The tree can live for 30–150 years, though most only live for 8–10 years on average. It plays an important role in the diets of tropical seasonally dry forest animals.

Description

''Syagrus coronata'' reaches tall with a crown of semi-plumose leaves. The blooms are bright yellow, and the plants bear fruit for most of the year.

Ecological importance

Licuri palm nuts are the main food source of Lear's macaw, making up around 95% of their diet. These nuts can grow to be one inch (2.5 cm) in width. According to Kitzke and Johnson, mature C. coronata palms number about five Billion (5,000,000,000).

Threats

The destruction of small seedlings by cattle poses a threat to the plants, primarily through the destruction of concentrated groves. Those groves are vital to Lear's macaw.

Uses

''Syagrus coronata'' is the source of ouricury wax.

References

External links

Photos
{{Authority control coronata Endemic flora of Brazil Plants described in 1826 Taxa named by Odoardo Beccari