A new purple-flowered Butia (Arecaceae) from the highlands of the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Brazil)

A new species of Butia palm, Butia soffiae, has been discovered in the highlands of Chapada dos Veadeiros, Brazil. This species is distinguished by its purple flowers and unique morphological traits, including glaucous peduncular bracts, herbaceous peduncles, and inconspicuous staminodes. Two novel structures for the genus—squamiform trichomes at the base of the pistil and osmophores on the staminodes—were also recorded. The discovery was made through detailed morphological and anatomical analysis, including light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Butia soffiae is critically endangered due to its restricted range and anthropogenic threats, particularly a proposed reduction in the area of Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park by 73%. This finding underscores the region's unique biodiversity and the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Sant`Anna-Santos, B. F. (2023). A new purple-flowered Butia (Arecaceae) from the highlands of the Chapada dos Veadeiros (Brazil). Plant Ecology and Evolution, 156(3), 383–398. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.110654