Gaussia spirituana

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Gaussia spirituana is a palm tree that grows only in the Sierra de Jatibonico region of east-central Cuba. Its stems are whitish, up to 7 meters tall, and about 30–35 centimeters in diameter, swollen at the base and tapering upward. The tree bears up to ten leaves that are pinnately compound. The fruit are orange-red and about 1 centimeter in diameter.

Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN 2.3). Only about 150 individuals are known, spread across five subpopulations. Threats include habitat destruction and non-native pathogens.

Taxonomy: Kingdom Plantae; Clade Tracheophytes; Clade Angiosperms; Clade Monocots; Clade Commelinids; Order Arecales; Family Arecaceae; Genus Gaussia; Species Gaussia spirituana. Binomial name Gaussia spirituana Moya & Leiva.