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.


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 ].

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