Beaucarnea hiriartiae

Beaucarnea hiriartiae
Conservation status
Critically Endangered  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Order:	Asparagales
Family:	Asparagaceae
Subfamily:	Nolinoideae
Genus:	Beaucarnea
Species:	B. hiriartiae
Binomial name
Beaucarnea hiriartiae L.Hern.[3]

Beaucarnea hiriartiae is a plant in the family Asparagaceae, native to Mexico. The species is named for the botanist Patricia Hiriart Valencia.[4]

Description

Beaucarnea hiriartiae grows as a tree-like plant up to 8 metres (30 ft) tall, with a trunk swelling up to 2 m (7 ft) in diameter at the base. The bark is smooth. The leaves measure up to 90 cm (35 in) long. The inflorescences feature yellow-white flowers.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Beaucarnea hiriartiae is endemic to Mexico, where it is confined to the area around Cañon del Zopilote in Guerrero. Its habitat is in dry forests on steep slopes, at altitudes of 250–700 m (800–2,300 ft).[1]

Conservation

Beaucarnea hiriartiae has been assessed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by conversion of its habitat for agriculture, roads and urban development. It is also threatened by illegal harvesting for the ornamental plant trade. The species' range includes a protected area.[1]

References

1. Fuentes, A.C.D.; Martínez Salas, E.; Samain, M.-S.; Hernández Sandoval, L. (2020). "Beaucarnea hiriartiae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T136808279A137376204. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T136808279A137376204.en.
2. "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
3. "Beaucarnea hiriartiae". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
4. Hernández Sandoval, Luis (1 April 1992). "Una especie nueva de Beaucarnea (Nolinaceae)" [A new species of Beaucarnea (Nolinaceae)]. Acta Botánica Mexicana (in Spanish). 18: 25–29. doi:10.21829/abm18.1992.641.