DIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION STATUS OF PERUVIAN PALMS

Indigenous palm species of Peru are listed with data on their distribu tion patterns, ecology. frequency, density in the ecosystems, and cons ervation status. Peruvian palm flora includes 140 native species in 34 genera with the following distribution patterns: strictly Andean (17) , Andean and Subandean (3), strictly Subandean (19), Subandean and Ama zonian (20), strictly Amazonian (78), Amazonian and South peripheral ( 2), South peripheral (1). About 43% of the species occur at very low o r low frequency in the country and about 9% are insufficiently known i n situ for their conservation status to be defined. There are no Extin ct species. Sixteen of the 17 strictly Andean palms are threatened spe cies; 3 of them are Endangered, while only 5 strictly Subandean, 3 Sub andean-Amazonian, and 4 strictly Amazonian palms are in these categori es.