title: Longevity of the Brazilian underground tree Jacaranda decurrens Cham.
abstract: Underground trees are a rare clonal growth form. In this survey we describe the branching pattern and estimate the age of the underground tree Jacaranda decurrens Cham. (Bignoniaceae), an endangered species from the Brazilian Cerrado, with a crown diameter of 22 meters. The mean age calculated for the individual was 3,801 years, making it one of the oldest known living Neotropical plants.
authors.affiliation: Museu Nacional, Departamento de Botânica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. ruyvalka@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ruy J V
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Nílber G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Da Silva
authors.forename: Aluísio J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fernandes Júnior
authors.forename: Alessandra R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Guimarães
mesh_terms: D029402:Bignoniaceae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development*; D056727:Endangered Species; D013997:Time Factors; D014329:Tropical Climate