Ten years from propagule to mature plant of Butia purpurascens Glassman (Arecaceae): an endemic and endangered palm of the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract With occurrence mainly in the southwest Goiás, Butia purpurascens has fruits and leaves widely extracted by regional population. Coexists with exotic grasses, frequent burnings cattle’s grazing trampling. Young individuals are rarely seen. We aim to provide information about propagules, seedling formation monitoring of saplings B. until adults reproductive phase. Fruits were selected, measured benefited after harvest. Of 6,000 collected 3,112 discarded for being perforated Conotrachelus weevils. The experiment divided 2,600 into 13 treatments, distributed ripe immature fruits, without pulp. In addition, we adopt mechanical chemical break dormancy mechanisms, different storage periods seeding depths. After sixteen months monitoring, eleven seedlings was obtained distinction any treatment. Seedlings developed slowly, taking two years emit first metaphyll. Over time, ten died, most from fungal attack. years, only surviving palm generated inflorescences, which produced fruit. inefficient production slow development saplings, combined impact extractivism high rate predation pyrenes, suggest low recruitment species observed, natural conditions. This type data is one important tools creating guidelines conservation. Therefore, considering reclassification as a Critically Endangered Official List Threatened Brazilian Species Extinction.