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Summary
Physical Characteristics

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 ].
References
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 ].
References
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Other Uses
References
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
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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.
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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).
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Staple Crop: Sugar
Perennial sugar crops include sugarcane and compare favorably to annuals.
References
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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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
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.
Expert comment
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.
Readers comment
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Subject : Oenocarpus distichus
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