National Collection of Imperiled Plants

CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Photographer:

Jennifer Possley

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CPC National Collection Plant Profile

Calyptronoma rivalis

Family:	Arecaceae
Common Names:	Palma de Manaca, Palma Manaca, Puerto Rican manac
Author:	(O.F. Cook) Bailey
Growth Habit:	Tree
CPC Number:	701

Distribution
Protection
Conservation
References

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Photographer: Jennifer Possley
jpossley[at]fairchildgarden.org
Image Owner: Fairchild Tropical Garden

Calyptronoma rivalis is Not Sponsored

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

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

Calyptronoma rivalis

Calyptronoma rivalis grows along stream banks in the semi-evergreen forests of the karst region in Puerto Rico and can reach up to 12 meters in height (USFWS 1992). The palm has dioecious flowers that bloom twice a year and produce an abundant amount of small reddish fruits (Vivaldi and Woodbury 1981). This palm is threatened by flooding caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion and rural development (USFWS 1992).

Distribution & Occurrence

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State Range

Puerto Rico

Habitat

Calyptronoma rivalis grows in the semi-evergreen, subtropical moist forests in either the limestone or karst region of northwestern Puerto Rico (USFWS 1992). A well-developed understory and two to three tree strata are characteristic of the semi-evergreen forests in the limestone region (USFWS 1992). Adjacent areas are agricultural and contain crops such as coffee, yams, bananas and sugar cane (Vivaldi and Woodbury 1981, Silander et al. 1986). The karst region boasts a diverse topography, ranging from extremely rugged cliffs and canyons to smaller hills (USFWS 1992). In both of these areas, Calyptronoma rivalis is found growing along the stream banks.

In the forests of the limestone region, Calyptronoma rivalis is associated with the introduced species Syzygium jambos (pomarrosa) and native species Andira inermis (moca), Roystonea boringuena (palma real), and Guarea guidonia (guaraguao) (USFWS 1992).

Distribution

Calyptronoma rivalis is endemic to Puerto Rico (Bailey 1938, Vivaldi and Woodbury 1981, Henderson 1984 and USFWS 1992).

Number Left

Calyptronoma rivalis is known from three privately owned sites that support about 275 individuals (USFWS 1992).

Protection

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Global Rank:	G1G2	7/30/1985	Guide to Global Ranks
Federal Status:	LT	10/24/1996	Guide to Federal Status
Recovery Plan:	Yes	6/25/1992

State/Area Protection

	State/Area	Rank	Status	Date
	Puerto Rico	S2		2/28/1985

Conservation, Ecology & Research

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Ecological Relationships

� Bees and wasps have been observed visiting the flowers of this palm, but their role in pollination is unknown (USFWS 1992).

Threats

Primary threats include deforestation, road building, grazing and agriculture (USFWS 1992).

Current Research Summary

The Botanical Gardens of the University of Puerto Rico and the Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida are both successfully propagating this palm (USFWS 1992).

Current Management Summary

The Puerto Rico Department of Natural Resources has reintroduced Calyptronoma rivalis into two areas (USFWS 1992).

Research Management Needs

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1992) proposes to delist Calyptronoma rivalis when populations are sufficiently protected and when at least three new established are self-sustaining.
Additional management and research needs include prevention of further habitat destruction, population monitoring, enforcement of endangered species regulations, habitat and germination requirements and reproductive biology and ecology (USFWS 1992).

Ex Situ Needs

References

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Books (Single Authors)

Little, E.L., Jr.; Woodbury, R.O.; Wadsworth, F.H. 1974. Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands: Agriculture Handbook No. 449. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

McCurrach, J.C. 1960. Palms of the world. New York: Harper & Brothers.

Electronic Sources

FCONSERVE. (2002). Threatened and endangered species in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico's Conservation Foundation. http://www.tld.net/users/fconserv/List.htm. Accessed: 2002.

Journal Articles

Baily, L.H. 1938. Certain palms of the greater Antilles. I. and Calyptronoma rivalis. Gentes Herbarum. 4: 153-177.

Henderson, A. 1984. The native palms of Puerto Rico. Principles. 28, 4: 168-172.

Johnson, M.A.T. 1985. New chromosome counts in the Palmae. Kew Bulletin. 40, 1: 109-114.

Mejia, M.; Garcia, R.; Jimenez, F. 1997. Notes on the flora of Espanola Island: Part V. Moscosoa. 9, 0: 69-83.

USFWS. 1990. Determination of threatened status for the plant Calyptronoma rivalis (palma de manaca). Federal Register. 55, 25: 4157-4159.

Zona, S.. 1995. A Revision of Calyptronoma (Arecaceae). Principes. 39, 3: 140-151.

Reports

USFWS. 1992. Calyptronoma rivalis (palma de manaca) Recovery Plan. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. p.18.

Vivaldi, J.L; Woodbury, R.O. 1981. Status report on Calyptronoma rivalis. Mayaguez, Puerto Rico: Status report submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. p.35.

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This profile was updated on 3/4/2010