Beaucarnea olsonii

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Beaucarnea olsonii
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Nolinoideae
Genus: Beaucarnea
Species:
B. olsonii
Binomial name
Beaucarnea olsonii

Beaucarnea olsonii is a plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico. The species is named for the botanist Mark E. Olson.[4]

Description[edit]

Beaucarnea olsonii grows as a tree-like plant up to 5 metres (16 ft) tall. The trunk is greatly swollen at the base, with a diameter of up to 4 m (13 ft). Its gray bark is scaly. The sword-shaped leaves measure up to 85 cm (30 in) long. Its inflorescences bear whitish flowers.[4]

Distribution and habitat[edit]

Beaucarnea olsonii is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in Puebla and Oaxaca. Its habitat is in deciduous forests, on hillsides at altitudes of 1,200–1,500 m (4,000–5,000 ft).[1]

Conservation[edit]

Beaucarnea olsonii has been assessed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by conversion of its habitat for agriculture and human settlement and by fires. The species does not occur in any protected areas.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Fuentes, A.C.D.; Martínez Salas, E. & Samain, M.-S. (2020). "Beaucarnea olsonii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T162242248A162242253. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ "Beaucarnea olsonii". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  4. ^ a b Rojas-Piña, Vanessa; Alvarado-Cárdenas, Leonardo O. (25 November 2016). "Beaucarnea olsonii (Ruscaceae), a new species of ponytail palm from southwestern Puebla, Mexico". Phytotaxa. 286 (1): 13–22. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.286.1.2.