Canelas-de-Ema: The Incredible Diversity of Resurrection Plants
Learn more about canelas-de-ema and their curious survival adaptations
CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Luiza F. A. de Paula
Flora Brasiliensis: Vol. I, Part I, Fasc. See Urban Plate 4 (1906)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Canelas-de-ema
Typical of the Cerrado biome, canelas-de-ema encompass various species generically known by this name, all belonging to the Velloziaceae family.
Canelas-de-ema in the Cerrado
In this lithograph from Flora Brasiliensis, depicting a Cerrado landscape, a group of seriemas can be seen passing among various canelas-de-ema.
Morphological aspects
Flora Brasiliensis presents schematic plates of various canelas-de-ema species, containing morphological details of flowers and fruits, along with general illustrations of the species.
Why does this plant contain the name of an animal?
Canelas-de-ema have stems, which are actually the bases of the leaves, that resemble the legs of the emu (‘ema’ in Portuguese)...
...even its foliage, in tufts, bears a resemblance to emus.
Distribution of the Velloziaceae family (2024) by Luiza de PaulaCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Canelas-de-ema around the world
The Velloziaceae family has about 250 species distributed throughout the tropical region. They can be found in South America, Africa (including Madagascar), and one species in China.
Canelas-de-ema in Brazil
Brazil is a center of diversity for the Velloziaceae family, where two main groups occur: Barbacenia and Vellozia.
Canelas-de-ema flowers can vary in color between violet, white, yellow, pink, and red. In the images, vellozia is presented with a white flower and barbacenia with a red flower.
Fields of Vellozia albiflora by Pedro VianaCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Natural gardens
During the flowering season, it is common to find fields dominated by canelas-de-ema, forming true natural gardens. This occurs especially in the campos rupestres, ecosystems found on mountaintops and plateaus, which encompass several unique species.
Landscaping potential
The beautiful gardens of canelas-de-ema did not go unnoticed by the famous landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx (1909-1994).
Commemorative stamp
He was a great admirer of these plants and even received a tribute with a species in his name: Vellozia burle-marxii, represented in the image of the stamp commemorating him.
Vellozia plicata (2016-09-25) by Luiza de PaulaCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Adaptations for survival
These plants also grow in shallow soils of stone mountains, and have various physiological, morphological, and ecological adaptations to withstand intense heat, high brightness, and water scarcity.
A common strategy of canelas-de-ema is desiccation tolerance. During the dry season, some species enter a dehydrated state as if they were dead. Their leaves become blackened and curled, losing more than 90% of their water. After the rains they rehydrate, turning green again, without any structural or physiological damage. Due to this unique feature, they are called ‘resurrection plants’ by botanists.
Vellozia plicata burned in the field (2015) by Luiza de PaulaCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Adaptation to fire
Canelas-de-ema have also adapted to fire. The bases of their leaves store a highly flammable resin. When fires occur – frequent events in places where they grow, like the Cerrado – the fire passes quickly through the plant, allowing it to survive.
Some species even have their flowering stimulated by fire, which makes this relationship rather interesting. Fire is not always the villain. However, due to their high combustion power, canelas-de-ema are used to light wood stoves. The biggest problem is that many species are threatened with extinction, but continue to be sold in local markets.
Vellozia gigantea by Gustavo ShimizuCRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Giant, ancient plants
Another curious fact is that canelas-de-ema can become gigantic and reach very advanced ages. Vellozia gigantea, which occurs in the campos rupestres in southeastern Brazil, has individual specimens that reach 6 m in height and estimated ages of over 500 years.
Flora Brasiliensis: Vol. I, Part I, Fasc. See Urban Plate 52 (1906)CRIA - Centro de Referência em Informação Ambiental
Where are the canelas-de-ema?
Now that you know all about canelas-de-ema, can you point them out in this beautiful plate from Flora Brasiliensis?
Research and writing: Luiza F. A. de Paula (UFMG/CRIA)
Assembly: Luiza F. A. de Paula (UFMG/CRIA)
Review: João Renato Stehmann (UFMG), Renato De Giovanni (CRIA)
References: Flora Brasiliensis (http://florabrasiliensis.cria.org.br/opus), Travels in Brazil (https://www2.senado.leg.br/bdsf/handle/id/573991)
Additional information: http://florabrasiliensis.cria.org.br/stories
Acknowledgments: All the authors of the photos and characters in the story
*Every effort has been made to credit the images, audio, and video and correctly recount the episodes narrated in the exhibitions. If you find errors and/or omissions, please email contato@cria.org.br
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