Allometric patterns of the palm carnauba (Copernicia prunifera (Mill.) H.E. Moore).

The aim of this study was to characterize the allometric patterns of Copernicia prunifera in semi-arid region of Rio Grande do Norte. This research was conducted in a rural area of the Lagoa de Pedras city, RN. We sampled all adult reproductive individuals in an area of 1.1 hectares, with a total of 33 plants. Allometric relationships were evaluated between: total height x height of the bole, CNS (circumference at ground level) x height of the bole, CNS x overall height, CAP (circumference at breast height) x height of the bole, CAP x overall height, and number of leaves x overall height, were determined by equations obtained by polynomial regressions, then applied the Pearson correlation coefficient (rp). Polynomial regression indicated greater relationship between total height x height of the bole (R 2 =0.98). Only the relationship between allometric patterns overall height x height of the bole showed positive correlation (rp=0.989). The results obtained reflect the growth and adaptation strategies of carnauba palm tree in its natural environment.