National Collection of Imperiled Plants

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Photographer:

Jennifer Possley

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Gaussia attenuata

Family:	Arecaceae
Common Names:	llume, Palma de Lluvia, Palma Flaca
Author:	(O.F. Cook) Becc.
Growth Habit:	Tree
CPC Number:	6294

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Photographer: Jennifer Possley

Gaussia attenuata is Not Sponsored

Primary custodian for this plant in the CPC National Collection of Endangered Plants is:

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Gaussia attenuata

This tree has a slender trunk and grows near the summits of limestone hills on the northern coast of Puerto Rico. Because it is usually taller than the surrounding trees, the species is readily identified at a distance. (University of Puerto Rico 2002)

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

Puerto Rico

Habitat

This species is found in the Cambalache Forest on the north coast of Puerto Rico. It is found on top of limestone formations in the Forest, which appear as clusters of haystack hills separated from one another by rounded depressions. Elevations here range from 5 to 50 meters above sea level. (University of Puerto Rico 2002)

Distribution

Found along the northern coast of Puerto Rico (University of Puerto Rico 2002).

Number Left

� About 500 individuals left, widely scattered
� In some areas, every little hill has one

Protection

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Global Rank:	G1	9/30/1985	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:			Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	No

State/Area Protection

State/Area	Rank	Status	Date

Conservation, Ecology & Research

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Ecological Relationships

Unknown.

Threats

For the most part, the bottomlands between the limestone hills where this species is found have been logged and planted in teak. (University of Puerto Rico 2002)

Current Research Summary

None known.

Current Management Summary

None known.

Research Management Needs

Any research into the general biology of this species would help in conservation efforts.

Ex Situ Needs

References

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Electronic Sources

(2002). Cambalache Forest Reserve (DNRE, Oct. 1976). University of Puerto Rico-Mayagnez Department of Biology Herbarium (MAPR). http://www.uprm.edu/biology/profs/breckon/herbarium/cambala.html. Accessed: 2002.

Journal Articles

Garc�a, R.; Mej�a, M. 1998. Tecnicos del JBN descubren palma de Puerto Rico en el Parque Nacional del Este [Gaussia attenuata (Arecaceae), newly reported for the Dominican Republic.]. Bol. Jard. Bot. Nac. [Santo Domingo, Rep�blica Dominicana]. 7, 4: 6, 7.

Mejia, M.; Garcia, R.; Jimenez, F. 1996. Gaussia attenuata (O.F. Cook) Becc. and Coccothrinax barbadensis (Lodd. ex Mart) Becc. (Arecaceae), two new records for Espanola Island. Moscosoa. 10, 0: 3-9.

Mej�a, M.; Garc�a, R.; Jim�nez, F. 1998. Gaussia attenuata (O. F. Cook) Becc. Y Coccothrinax barbadensis (Lodd. Ex Mart.) Becc. (Arecaceae), dos nuevos registros para la Isla Espa�ola. Quaternary Research. 10: 3-9.

Quero, H.J.; Read, R.W. 1986. A revision of the Palm genus Gaussia. Systematic Botany. 11, 1: 145-154.

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This profile was updated on 3/4/2010