Edible Parts: Apical bud  Fruit  Leaves  Oil  Seed
Edible Uses: Colouring  Drink  Oil

A light greenish-yellow oil is obtained from the fruit[301 ]. Used as a salad or cooking oil317]. Very stable, it does not easily turn rancid[370 ]. It is almost identical with olive oil[301 , 370 ]. Used in cooking and as a colouring for chocolates[301 ]. Traditionally, the oil is extracted by pounding the fruit, boiling it in water and skimming off the oil as it floats on the surface[370 ]. Fruit - a sweet flavour46]. The thin, oily mesocarp has a chocolate-like flavour, and is very popular[355 ]. It is usually soaked before eating to soften the pulp[355 ]. The fleshy fruit can be eaten fried[317 ]. The fruit is about 3cm long and 2cm wide[416 ]. A nutritious protein- and oil-rich beverage (agua de seche) is made from the fruit pulp[46 , 317 ]. It is sometimes made into an alcoholic drink by fermentation[317 ]. A nutritious milk-like beverage is made by mixing the juice of the pulp with manioc meal[301 ]. Seed - cooked[324 ]. Eaten mainly by poor people[324 ]. Leaves - cooked[317 , 763 ]. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[763 ]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots[K ].

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.
Purgative  Tonic

The fruits are soaked in warm water to soften, the seed coat is removed, and the remainder is macerated in cold water, strained, and drunk or used as a tonic[348 ]. The oil obtained from the fruit is used medicinally[317 ]. It is used as a carrier oil - the wood chips of Schefflera morototoni are steeped in the oil and then the oil is massaged into the back to relieve pain in the vertebral column[348 ]. The oil from the seed is purgative and is also used to treat tuberculosis[739 ]. The hard endosperm is crushed and eaten to cure snake bites[355 ].

Basketry  Dye  Fibre  Oil  Soap  String  Thatching  Wood

The kernels yield an edible oil, somewhat similar to olive oil, that can also be made into soap and is used in the cosmetic industry[370 ]. The fronds of the palm are used for thatching[370 ]. The leaves are used for making walls and baskets[317 , 768 ]. The hair-like fibres of the leaves are used to produce ropes for the navy[317 ]. The spine-like fibres of the leaf sheath are made into darts for the blowpipe[317 , 768 ]. A dark blue dye is obtained from the fruit[317 ]. The wood is utilized for the manufacture of bows and arrow points[317 ]. The trunks are exploited for construction[317 , 768 ]. The wood of the stem is split and used for floors, and for other construction needs[355 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Food Forest