Morphological differences between the acaulescent Butia soffiae (A, C, E, G, I, K) and Butia buenopolensis (B, D, F, H, J, L). A. Plant with longer leaves. B. Plant with shorter leaves. C. Red fibres (fi) of the pseudopetiole. D. Brown fibres (fi) of the pseudopetiole. E. Congested pinnae (pi), inflorescence with several rachillae (ra) and glaucous peduncular bract (pn). F. Lax pinnae (pi), inflorescence with few rachillae (ra) and glossy peduncular bract (pn). G. Herbaceous peduncle (pe), yellowish-green rachillae (ra), and light purplish-green flowers (white circles). H. Woody peduncle (pe), dark purple rachillae (ra), and dark purple flowers (white circles). I. Peduncular bract (pn) almost the same size than inflorescence (in). J. Peduncular bract (pn) smaller than the inflorescence (in). K. Staminodial ring (sr) with inconspicuous staminodes, stereomicroscopy. L. Staminodial ring (sr) with conspicuous staminodes (white arrowheads), stereomicroscopy. Photographs by Bruno F. Sant’Anna-Santos.