Aiphanes chiribogensis
Encyclopedia
Aiphanes chiribogensis is a species of palm
which is endemic to western Ecuador
. Its natural habitat
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
s and subtropical or tropical moist montane
forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long. Stems grow singly, not in clonal clusters. Individuals have between 5 and 9 leaves which consists of a leaf sheath, a petiole
and a rachis
. Leaf sheaths, which wrap around the stem, are 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 ) long. They are violet on the inside, brown, scaly and covered with black or brown spines on the outside. Petioles are green, 12 to 45 cm (4.7 to 17.7 ) long, and are covered with scattered spines. Rachises are green, 48 to 100 cm (18.9 to 39.4 ), and lack spines. Leaves each bear 12 to 17 pairs of leaflets.
Male flowers are deep purple with yellow anthers, while female flowers are pinkish violet with rose-coloured pistils. Fruit are bright red, about 10 to 12 mm (0.393700787401575 to 0.47244094488189 ) in diameter.
. It is known from Pichincha Province
in northwestern Ecuador, and was collected from Azuay Province
in southwestern Ecuador 1943 but the area where it was collected has suffered extensive deforestation, and attempts to find it again in that area have been unsuccessful.
The species is known from seven populations, none of which lie within Ecuador's network of protected areas. Since these areas are threatened by habitat destruction, it is classified as a vulnerable species
.
Arecaceae
Arecaceae or Palmae , are a family of flowering plants, the only family in the monocot order Arecales. There are roughly 202 currently known genera with around 2600 species, most of which are restricted to tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate climates...
which is endemic to western Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. Its natural habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
s are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s and subtropical or tropical moist montane
Montane
In biogeography, montane is the highland area located below the subalpine zone. Montane regions generally have cooler temperatures and often have higher rainfall than the adjacent lowland regions, and are frequently home to distinct communities of plants and animals.The term "montane" means "of the...
forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
Aiphanes chiribogensis is a small palm up to 3 metres (10 ft) tall with stems 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 ) in diameter which are "fiercely armed" with black spinesThorns, spines, and prickles
In botanical morphology, thorns, spines, and prickles are hard structures with sharp, or at least pointed, ends. In spite of this common feature, they differ in their growth and development on the plant; they are modified versions of different plant organs, stems, stipules, leaf veins, or hairs...
up to 6 cm (2.4 in) long. Stems grow singly, not in clonal clusters. Individuals have between 5 and 9 leaves which consists of a leaf sheath, a petiole
Petiole (botany)
In botany, the petiole is the stalk attaching the leaf blade to the stem. The petiole usually has the same internal structure as the stem. Outgrowths appearing on each side of the petiole are called stipules. Leaves lacking a petiole are called sessile, or clasping when they partly surround the...
and a rachis
Rachis
Rachis is a biological term for a main axis or "shaft".-In zoology:In vertebrates a rachis can refer to the series of articulated vertebrae, which encase the spinal cord. In this case the rachis usually form the supporting axis of the body and is then called the spine or vertebral column...
. Leaf sheaths, which wrap around the stem, are 20 to 40 cm (7.9 to 15.7 ) long. They are violet on the inside, brown, scaly and covered with black or brown spines on the outside. Petioles are green, 12 to 45 cm (4.7 to 17.7 ) long, and are covered with scattered spines. Rachises are green, 48 to 100 cm (18.9 to 39.4 ), and lack spines. Leaves each bear 12 to 17 pairs of leaflets.
Male flowers are deep purple with yellow anthers, while female flowers are pinkish violet with rose-coloured pistils. Fruit are bright red, about 10 to 12 mm (0.393700787401575 to 0.47244094488189 ) in diameter.
Distribution and status
Aiphanes chiribogensis is endemic to western EcuadorEcuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
. It is known from Pichincha Province
Pichincha Province
Pichincha is a province of Ecuador located in the northern sierra region; its capital and largest city is Quito. It is bordered by Imbabura & Esmeraldas to the north, Cotopaxi & Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas to the south, Napo & Sucumbíos to the east, and Esmeraldas & Santo Domingo de los...
in northwestern Ecuador, and was collected from Azuay Province
Azuay Province
Azuay is a province of Ecuador, created 25 June 1824. It encompasses an area of . Its capital is Cuenca. It is located in the south center of Ecuador in the highlands. Its mountains reach above sea level in the national park of El Cajas....
in southwestern Ecuador 1943 but the area where it was collected has suffered extensive deforestation, and attempts to find it again in that area have been unsuccessful.
The species is known from seven populations, none of which lie within Ecuador's network of protected areas. Since these areas are threatened by habitat destruction, it is classified as a vulnerable species
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
.