Desmoncus polyacanthos

Desmoncus polyacanthos, the jacitara palm,[4] is a spiny, climbing palm native to the southern Caribbean and tropical South America. Stems grow clustered together, and are 2–12 m long and 0.5–2 cm in diameter. Petioles, rachis, cirrus and peduncular bracts are covered with short, curved spines.[5] Two varieties are recognised: D. polyacanthos var. polyacanthos[2] and D. polyacanthos var. prunifer (Poepp. ex Mart.) A.J.Hend.[3]

Desmoncus polyacanthos
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Genus:	Desmoncus
Species:	D. polyacanthos
Binomial name
Desmoncus polyacanthos Mart.
Synonyms
Atitara polyacantha (Mart.) Kuntze[1] of var. polyacanthos[2] Desmoncus macroacanthos Mart. Desmoncus oxyacanthos Mart. Desmoncus pycnacanthos Mart. Desmoncus setosus Mart. Desmoncus riparius Spruce Desmoncus oligacanthus Barb.Rodr. Desmoncus aereus Drude Desmoncus leptoclonos Drude Desmoncus phengophyllus Drude Desmoncus polyacanthos var. cuspidatus Drude Desmoncus polyacanthos var. oxyacanthos (Mart.) Drude Desmoncus pycnacanthos var. sarmentosus Drude Desmoncus caespitosus Barb.Rodr. Desmoncus philippianus Barb.Rodr. Atitara dubia Kuntze Atitara macroacantha (Mart.) Kuntze Atitara oligacantha (Barb.Rodr.) Kuntze Atitara oxyacantha (Mart.) Kuntze Atitara phengophylla (Drude) Kuntze Atitara pycnacantha (Mart.) Kuntze Atitara riparia (Spruce) Kuntze Atitara setosa (Mart.) Kuntze Desmoncus inermis Barb.Rodr. Atitara aerea (Drude) Barb.Rodr. Atitara caespitosa (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr. Atitara inermis (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr. Atitara leptoclona (Drude) Barb.Rodr. Atitara paraensis Barb.Rodr. Atitara philippiana (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr. Desmoncus paraensis (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr. Desmoncus ulei Dammer Desmoncus brevisectus Burret Desmoncus campylacanthus Burret Desmoncus dasyacanthus Burret Desmoncus latisectus Burret Desmoncus longisectus Burret Desmoncus prestoei L.H.Bailey Desmoncus peraltus L.H.Bailey Desmoncus maguirei L.H.Bailey Desmoncus mirandanus L.H.Bailey Desmoncus duidensis Steyerm. of var. prunifer[3] Desmoncus prunifer Poepp. ex Mart. Atitara prunifera (Poepp. ex Mart.) Kuntze

Desmoncus polyacanthos is found in Colombia, Venezuela, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana, Brazil, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru.[1][5] The stems are used for baskets and sieves.[5]

References

1. "Desmoncus polyacanthos". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Archived from the original on 2013-08-02. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
2. "Desmoncus polyacanthos var. polyacanthos". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
3. "Desmoncus polyacanthos var. prunifer". Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
4. "Properties of an Amazonian vegetable fiber as a potential reinforcing material". Retrieved 2017-11-18.
5. Henderson, Andrew; Gloria Galeano; Rodrigo Bernal (1995). Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas. Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-08537-4.