Edible Parts: Apical bud  Fruit  Oil  Sap  Seed
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - raw[297 , 416 ]. Slightly sweet[416 ]. A flavour similar to apricots[301 ]. Used for making juices[418 ]. The mesocarp is rich in provitamin A; it provides a fatty, mashed pulp that is used to prepare the very popular French Guianan dish 'bouillon d'awara', which is traditionally eaten at Easter time[1869 ]. The orange-red, globose to ovoid fruit is 35 - 45mm long and 25 - 35mm wide with a fleshy mesocarp covering a single large seed[1874 ]. After harvesting, the fruits are stored for 3 days in sacks to ripen and allow the pulp soften slightly. They must then be eaten within 3 - 4 days before they dry and rot where bruised[324 ]. The immature endosperm gives a juice called vino de tucuma, used for a drink or in culinary preparations[418 ]. An excellent oil, used for cooking, can be obtained from the fruits[297 , 324 ]. Similar to coconut oil[301 , 418 ]. The seed contains a hard white substance from which a fine edible fat can be extracted[418 ]. The seed contains 30 - 50% oil[419 ]. The fruits and seeds of various species in this genus are reported to be used for oil production in the Amazon region[1869 ]. Existing analyses of fruit fat content show a relatively homogeneous composition among the different species, with around. 20% of fat content in the mesocarp, mostly composed of oleic and palmitic acids, and 20 - 35% of fat content in the endosperm, with a predominance of lauric acid[1869 ]. The palm heart (the inner core and growing bud of the plant) is harvested[418 Ecocrop Publication Author Website http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available. ]. It provides a crispy food, rich in nutrients, that can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvesting the heart will lead to the death of the stem it was harvested from, though in multi-stemmed plants such as this the rest of the plant will continue to grow and often produce new stems[K ]. A wine is made from the fermented sap of the spathe[418 ].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


A decoction of the root is used to treat furunculosis and syphilis[348 ]. The oil from the seed is laxative[348 ]. It is used to treat rheumatism, pain and earache. It is used in a preparation for treating furuncles and is also swabbed onto aching feet and rubbed on feverish people to assist perspiration[348 ]. The fruit can be utilized against the eye disease xerophthalmia (also called ophthalmoxerosis) of which the deficiency of vitamin A is the main reason[418 ]. The whole fruit is used to calm colicky babies[348 ]. The pulp of the fruit is used to treat coughs and as a breath freshener[348 ].

Oil

An oil can be obtained from the fruits[297 ]. It is used in soap making[324 , 418 ]. A fine, soft, strong and durable fibre can be obtained from the unopened leaves[297 , 454 ]. It is used for weaving and cordage[297 ]. It is said to be the strongest fibre that can be produced in Amazonia and is widely used for making hammocks, ropes, bags, clothes etc[324 , 418 , 454 ]. The fibre is resistant to rot and damage and was therefore in use on sail- ships in the earlier centuries[418 ]. Fibre can be extracted from the petiole after soaking it in water[1874 ]. The leaflets are used in making baskets[1869 The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae) Publication Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008) Author Kahn F. Publisher Year 2008 ISBN 1727-9933 Description ]. The shell of the kernel is used for making handicrafts such as rings, bracelets and collars[418 ]. The oils extracted from the fruit and the seed are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as emollients and skin conditioners[1243 ]. The wood is moderately heavy, very hard, strong and durable[297 , 419 ]. It is used locally in making houses[297 ]. The stems are used as poles for fences, corrals, and rural housing[418 ]. Its resistance to diseases and high productivity make this species an alternative for the production of biodiesel, since the operating costs of an orderly plantation are much less than that of the oil palm.

Special Uses

Carbon Farming