National Collection of Imperiled Plants

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Photographer:

Jennifer Possley

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Sabal causiarum

Family:	Arecaceae
Common Names:	Palma de Sombrero, Puerto Rican hat-palm
Author:	(O.F. Cook) Becc.
Growth Habit:	Tree
CPC Number:	6532

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Photographer: Jennifer Possley

Sabal causiarum is Not Sponsored

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

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Sabal causiarum

Sabal causiarum, or hat palm, is endemic to southwestern Puerto Rico. This species was once widespread on the island, and was often used to make hats and baskets (Tucker 1927). This palm can be distinguished from other palms because it grows up to 50 feet in height, rising from a massive, smooth gray trunk, which itself can grow up to four feet in diameter. This palm is a slow growing tree, likely made slower by the harvesting of its palms for use as hats and baskets (Tucker 1927, Floridata 2001).

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

Puerto Rico
Virgin Islands

Habitat

Found on hillside or ridges in dry forest flatlands behind beaches. The species is fairly tolerant of wind.

Distribution

Tucker (1927) states that this species is endemic to Puerto Rico, but other sources say it is found in the Virgin Islands, as well. (Kraus 1992)

Number Left

Thousands of trees are now found in 3 sites in Puerto Rico, 12-15 individuals on St. Thomas, 116 individuals on Guana Islands, British Virgin Islands (106 occur in 1 population and 14 individuals which occur on the southwest part of Anegada Island).

Protection

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Global Rank:	G1	4/13/1984	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

Threats include:
� Commercial collecting (especially large specimens) as this is a very popular horticultural item
� road construction
� feral sheep (Guana)
� sheep and goats (Anegada)

Current Research Summary

None known.

Current Management Summary

None known.

Research Management Needs

Ex Situ Needs

References

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Electronic Sources

(2001). Floridata - Encyclopedia of Plants and Nature. [Searchable Web site] Floridata.com LC. http://www.floridata.com/tracks/scrub/endangered/menu_end.htm. Accessed: 2002.

Journal Articles

Carpenter, W.J. 1989. Influence of Temperature on Germination of Sabal causiarum Seed. Principes. 33, 4: 191-194.

Idaka, K.; Hirai, Y.; Shoji, J. 1988. Studies on the Constituents of Palmae Plants. 4. The Constituents of the Leaves of Sabal causiarum Becc. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 36, 5: 1783-1790.

Morici, C. 1997. Coccothrinax barbadensis in Antigua. Principes. 41, 2: 84-86.

Tucker, C.M. 1927. Sabal causarium (Cook) Beccari: A new host of the coconut bud-rot fungus. Journal of Agricultural Research. 34, 9: 879-888.

Zona, S. 1990. A monograph of Sabal arecaceae coryphoideae. Aliso. 12, 4: 583-666.

Personal Communications

Kraus, F. 3/19/92, 1992. Information on CPC species of interest. Letter sent to Peggy Olwell, Center for Plant Conservation, St. Louis, MO on 3/19/92. Letter to Olwell, P.

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This profile was updated on 3/4/2010