Beaucarnea pliabilis is a tree in the family Asparagaceae, native to the Yucatán Peninsula. It grows up to 10 metres (30 ft) tall.[1]

Beaucarnea pliabilis
At Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida
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. pliabilis
Binomial name
Beaucarnea pliabilis
Synonyms[3]
  • Beaucarnea ameliae Lundell
  • Beaucarnea petenensis (Lundell) Lundell
  • Dasylirion pliabile Baker
  • Dracaena petenensis Lundell
  • Nolina pliabilis (Baker) Lundell

Distribution and habitat

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Beaucarnea pliabilis is endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula, including parts of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. Its habitat is in dry forest, moist lowland forest and swamp forest, from sea level to 800 m (2,600 ft).[1]

Conservation

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Beaucarnea pliabilis has been assessed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. It is threatened by conversion of land for urban development and cattle farming. Fires and hurricanes pose an additional threat in the region. The species is increasingly threatened by illegal harvesting for the ornamental plant trade. The tree's range includes numerous protected areas, however population decline has continued.[1]

 
Characteristic swollen base or "elephant foot"

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Fuentes, A.C.D.; Samain, M.-S.; Martínez Salas, E. (2020). "Beaucarnea pliabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T162240408A162240890. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T162240408A162240890.en.
  2. ^ "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  3. ^ a b "Beaucarnea pliabilis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 31 December 2021.