Calyptronoma rivalis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Calyptronoma rivalis |
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| In Quebradillas, Puerto Rico | |
| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Calyptronoma
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| Species: |
rivalis
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Calyptronoma rivalis is a type of palm tree with feather-like leaves. It is found naturally in the Caribbean islands of Hispaniola (which includes Haiti and the Dominican Republic) and Puerto Rico. People often call this palm palma de manaca or Puerto Rican manac.
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How Scientists Classify This Palm
Scientists use a system called taxonomy to group and name living things. In 1995, experts looked closely at the Calyptronoma group of palms. They decided that another palm, Calyptronoma quisqueyana, was actually the same species as Calyptronoma rivalis.
This change meant that C. rivalis was known to live in more places than before. It was now understood to be common on the island of Hispaniola, not just a rare palm in Puerto Rico.
What Does This Palm Look Like?
Calyptronoma rivalis palms usually grow as single trees. They can reach heights of about 4 to 15 meters (13 to 49 feet) tall. Their trunks can be 15 to 30 centimeters (6 to 12 inches) wide.
This palm loves wet places. You can often find it growing in areas that are waterlogged, especially near the banks of streams. On the island of Hispaniola, it grows at elevations below 450 meters (about 1,476 feet) above sea level. Another type of palm, Calyptronoma plumeriana, takes its place at higher elevations.
Protecting the Calyptronoma rivalis Palm
In 1990, the Calyptronoma rivalis palm was added to the Endangered Species List in the United States. At that time, it was thought to be found only in Puerto Rico and was considered "threatened." This meant it was likely to become endangered soon. There were only about 220 of these palms left in Puerto Rico across three small groups.
Good news came later: the number of these palms in Puerto Rico grew to over 500. Some were even planted in new areas on the island to help them spread. However, the palm is still on the Endangered Species List. This is because many of the palms in Puerto Rico are on private land and are not officially protected. Also, some of them are not having new baby palms very well.
The land where these palms grow is at risk. New buildings and poor land care can destroy their natural home. While the palm is more common on Hispaniola, its safety there was not fully known for a long time. But in 2022, a group called the IUCN Red List looked at the species again. They decided it was of "Least Concern," meaning it's not currently at high risk of extinction globally.
See also
In Spanish: Calyptronoma rivalis para niños
