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Oenocarpus distichus - Mart.

Common Name Pataua, Bacaba, White bacaba
Family Arecaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dryland forests and the transitional vegetation of the savannahs[416 ]. Lowland rainforest, as well as in somewhat drier areas on the margins on savannah[314 ]. Grows in areas not subject to seasonal inundation at elevations up to 350 metres[768 ].
Range S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Oenocarpus distichus Pataua, Bacaba, White bacaba


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Oenocarpus distichus Pataua, Bacaba, White bacaba
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Oenocarpus distichus is an evergreen Tree growing to 8 m (26ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a slow rate.
It is hardy to zone (UK) 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Oenocarpus discolor Barb.Rodr. Oenocarpus tarampabo Mart.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud  Fruit  Leaves  Oil
Edible Uses: Oil

Fruit - raw or cooked[416 ]. It has a thin, fleshy pulp[416 ]. A high-calorie beverage is commonly made from the fruit by removing the pulp and then whipping it with water[416 ]. Called 'Bacaba branca', it is highly esteemed locally[46 ]. It can also be fermented into a vinegar[301 ]. The pulp of the fruit contains a clear, yellow, sweet-flavoured oil[314 ]. It can be used as a perfect substitute for olive oil[301 ]. Used in cooking[46 ]. Leaves - cooked[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 ].

Medicinal Uses

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.


The oil from the fruit pulp is emollient[739 ].

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Other Uses

Oil

The leaves are used for thatching and weaving[317 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming

Cultivation details

Regional Crop  Staple Crop: Oil  Staple Crop: Sugar

A plant of the tropics, it can also be grown in the warm sub-tropics[314 ]. Grows best in a sunny, moist, but well drained position[314 ].

Carbon Farming

  • Regional Crop  These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
  • Staple Crop: Oil  (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).
  • Staple Crop: Sugar  Perennial sugar crops include sugarcane and compare favorably to annuals.

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Pataua, Bacaba, White bacaba, Bacaba palm

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Amazon, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, South America, Venezuela

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

None Known

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Oenocarpus batauaPataua Palm. BatauaTree20.0 10-12 FMHNMWe323

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Mart.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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