Socratea exorrhiza (Mart.) H.Wendl.

  • Authority

    Henderson, A. 1990. Arecaceae. Part I. Introduction and the Iriarteinae. Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 53: 1-100. (Published by NYBG Press)

  • Family

    Arecaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Socratea exorrhiza (Mart.) H.Wendl.

  • Type

    Type. Tab. 33 & 34. Martius, Hist. Nat. Palm. 2: t. 33-34 (1824);

  • Synonyms

    Iriartea exorrhiza Mart., Iriartea orbigniana Mart., Socratea orbigniana (Mart.) H.Karst., Iriartea exorrhiza var. orbigniana (Mart.) Drude, Socratea elegans H.Karst., Iriartea exorrhiza var. elegans (H.Karst.) Drude, Iriartea durissima Oerst., Socratea durissima (Oerst.) H.Wendl., Iriartea philonotia Barb.Rodr., Socratea philonotia (Barb.Rodr.) Hook.f., Socratea macrochlamys Burret, Socratea microchlamys Burret, Socratea hoppii Burret, Socratea gracilis Burret, Socratea albolineata Steyerm.

  • Description

    Species Description - Stem to 20 m tall, usually less, 13-18 cm in diam. at base, ca. 10 cm in diam. at apex, gray, smooth, nodes obscure; stilt roots to 25, widely spaced and forming a loose cone, diagonal, branched near or below ground level, terete, 1-2(-4) m x to 9 cm, brown at first then black, with spines to 2 cm long. Leaves seven, spreading; sheaths 90-150 cm long, forming a compact crownshaft, grayish-green, densely white-tomentose at first; petiole terete, 15-40 cm long (including petiolar sheath extension), densely white-tomentose; rachis ridged adaxially, rounded abaxially, 1.4-2.8 m long, densely brown-tomentose adaxially, densely white-tomentose abaxially; pinnae 15-25 per side of rachis, opposite or alternate, asymmetrically cuneate, to 90 cm long, to 20 cm wide at mid-point, the margins entire except for praemorse apex, green adaxially, lighter green abaxially, glabrous adaxially, glabrous or sparsely to moderately whitish velutinous abaxially especially on veins and near point of insertion, with lines below up to 3 mm wide of dense white tomentum parallel to veins; the middle pinnae split to the base into segments, the proximal segments of a pinna longer and narrower, erect and arching near apex, the distal one shorter and broader, held horizontally; proximal pinna entire, to 40 cm long, 5 cm wide at midpoint; middle pinnae divided into up to 8 segments, the proximal ones to 90 cm long and 3 cm wide at mid-point, the distal one to 70 cm long and 15 cm wide at mid-point; proximal pinna entire, up to 40 cm long, 5 cm wide at mid-point; veins yellow, prominent abaxially. Inflorescence to 90 cm long and erect in bud, becoming pendulous at anthesis; peduncle to 50 x 2-5 cm, dorsiventrally compressed, at first densely white-tomentose; prophyll to 11 cm long, 4 cm diam., dorsiventrally compressed, splitting apically and becoming tubular, persistent, inserted near base of peduncle, at first densely whitish-brown-tomentose on outside; peduncular bracts (3-)4(-5), to 61 cm long, with tomentum similar to that of prophyll, proximal two splitting adaxially, distal two abaxially; rachillae to 17, usually fewer, subtended by a small bract; with same tomentum as peduncle, 30-40 cm long, 23 mm in diam. at anthesis at mid-point (dry), thickening to 4 mm in diam. in fruit (dry); triads spirally arranged on rachillae, densely crowded; flowers cream colored; staminate flowers 9-12 mm long; sepals shortly connate below, triangular, 2 mm long, 3 mm in diam. at base; petals valvate, open before anthesis, adnate to receptacle at base, 9-10 mm long, 6-7 mm in diam. at middle; stamens (17-)30-45(-65); filaments ca. 1 mm long, swollen at base; anthers 6-7 mm long, sub-basifixed, latrorse; pistillode 1-2 mm long, trifid at apex; pollen with scabrate, spiny exine; pistillate flowers 4-8 mm long, creamy white at anthesis; sepals imbricate, ciliate, 4 mm long, 4-7 mm wide at base; petals similar to sepals; ovary 4-7 mm long; stigmas sessile, erect at anthesis; staminodes absent; fruit ovoid-cylindric, 2.5-3.5 x 1.5-2 cm, stigmatic scar subapical and obscure; epicarp yellowish at maturity and splitting irregularly from the apex; seed obovoid, 1.5-2.5 x 1-1.5 cm, basally attached; raphe branches conspicuous, anastomosing; hi-lum rounded; embryo apical.

  • Discussion

    The sticky sap from stilt roots is used as an ingredient of Mayongong Indian arrow poison (Prance 21597, Brazil). Sections of spiny root are used as manioc graters. A decoction of fruit and bark is drunk for high fever by Chácobo Indians (Boom 4155, Bolivia). Bark is used to make beds. The outer parts of the trunks are widely used in house construction, for posts and beams, and especially for flooring. The wood is used for bows and spears. The leaves are used for thatching. Immature seeds are occasionally eaten. The palm heart is used occasionally to kill cockroaches. An unspecified part of the palm is used as an abortifacient (Gill 52, Ecuador). Heal et al. (1950) found that leaves of Socratea exorrhiza had insecticidal properties.

    The type of Socratea exorrhiza is apparently no longer extant. Burret (1930) presumably had fruit, but these have not been located. The two sheets at M, one of which was photographed as the type (Dahlgren, 1959), belong to Iriartella setigera. The type is therefore the original illustration.

    The type of Socratea orbigniana consists of approximately 20 seeds. The species is interpreted from the type, the description, and from Martius (1847). This species was distinguished on a mistaken observation of the position of the embryo. Wendland (1860) believed that the leaf section of Socratea orbigniana and Iriartea phaeocarpa were switched in Martius (1847). This is not necessarily the case, but more likely that fig. 19 t. 2 is of Dictyocaryum.

    The type of Socratea elegans consists of one sheet containing leaf section and rachillae with pistillate flowers. This species is interpreted from the type, the description, and more recent collections from the type locality (Henderson & Bernal 104, 105). Karsten distinguished this species by fruit shape and embryo position, both of which were misinterpreted.

    The type of Socratea durissima consists of a leaf section only. Örsted distinguished it from Iriartea praemorsa (Catoblastus praemorsus). This species is interpreted from the type, the description, and from the work of Bailey (1933). Recent collections from near the type locality (e.g., Henderson 44) are typical Socratea exorrhiza.

    The type of Socratea philonotia was apparently destroyed (Mori & Ferreira, 1987). This species is interpreted from the lectotype and description. As already pointed out by Trail (1877) it does not differ from S. exorrhiza.

    The type of Socratea macrochlamys is apparently destroyed, and no isotypes are known. The neototype is from the same general area as the type locality, and is a specimen determined by Burret himself (one of the few he did not describe as new). The associated fruits are from a cocosoid palm. Burret distinguished the species by its high perianth, a variable character which is of no significance.

    The holotype of Socratea microchlamys is no longer at B, and a lectotype is chosen. Again Burret used a character of no significance to distinguish the species.

    The type of Socratea hoppii consists of a large sheet with leaf section, peduncle, and a few loose stamens. This species is interpreted from the type, the description, and from a recent collection from the type locality (Balslev & Henderson 60672). Burret distinguished the species by its splitting exocarp, apparently unaware that all species of Iriarteinae have fruits which develop in this way.

    The holotype of Socratea gracilis is not at B and is presumed destroyed. This species is interpreted from the lectotype and the description. Nothing distinguishes it from S. exorrhiza.

    Socratea albolineata is interpreted from the type and description. This species was distinguished by the lines of hairs on the abaxial surface of the leaf. All species of Iriarteinae have such hairs. When the leaf is unexpanded during its development, these lines mark the outer edge of the folded leaf.

  • Common Names

    Jira palm, maquenque, Araco joven, cachuda zancona, choapo, Chonta, chuapo, bonbon, jira, nobea, palma de zancos, pachuda zancona, piojoco, pona lisa, rayador, sancona, yuripa zancona, Araa-yek, baba, macanilla, sarare, upa, Bonbon, nicó, Pambil, rayador, shiquita, Huachapona, huacrapona, kú-pat, Cuhaca, manácam, manáca-man-ash-quili, pachiúba, paxiúba, paxiubinha, Acuna, mañoco, onipa, pachuba, pachuvilla, yu

  • Distribution

    Nicaragua south to Bolivia, and east through Venezuela, the Guianas, and Brazil, in lowland rainforest from sea level to 1000 m (Fig. 30). Both Molina (1975) and Standley (1931) list Socratea exorrhiza from Honduras. However, there are no specimens from that country, nor was the palm encountered on a recent visit there.

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