Bactris setiflora

Bactris setiflora
Burret

Original
reference:
Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 14: 328 (1939)

Type:
Schultze-Rhonhof 2233 – Ecuador

Morphology:
Understorey palm. Stems clustered, to 5 m long, 2.5-5 cm in diameter. Leaves 1.5-2.5 m long; pinnae 25-35 on each side, regularly inserted in one plane; central pinnae 45-70 cm long, 3-4.5 cm wide; leaf axis covered with brown or black bristles and spines. Inflorescence 25-50 cm long, densely covered with dark brown bristles on most parts; branches 10-25, to 15 cm long. Female flowers scattered along the branches. Fruit black, flattened at top, rostrate, 2-2.5 cm in diameter; fruiting perianth with a short calyx and a slightly longer, densely bristly corolla; staminodial ring absent.

Distribution:
Endemic to a small area E of the Andes in Ecuador, on terra firme.

Notes:
Plants appearing to be hybrids between this species and Bactris corossilla are sometimes found (Pastaza: Bergmann #97854; #97856).

Conservation
status: Endangered

–
IUCN criteria:
B1, B2a
(Borchsenius & Skov 1999)

Common
names:
Antsibara
–
Quichua
(Orr & Wrisley 1981).

Chibu
–
Quichua
(H.B. Pedersen #97671 ).

Chonta brava
–
Spanish
(B. Bergmann #97800 ).

Kamanchai
–
Shuar
(H.B. Pedersen #97670 ).

Shibu
–
Quichua
(B. Bergmann #97801 and additional references).

Uses:

Fruits are eaten
(B. Bergmann #97801 ).

The soft or liquid endosperm is eaten as a snack
(B. Bergmann #97800 ).

The stem is used as a punt pole in canoes
(B. Bergmann #97801 ).