Astrocaryum aculeatum

Astrocaryum aculeatum (known in Brazilian Portuguese as tucumã, acaiúra, acuiuru, coco-tucumã, tucum, tucumã-açu, tucumã-macaw, tucum-açu, tucumaí-da-terra-firme, tucumãí-uaçu, tucumã-piririca, tucumã-purupuru or tucumã-do-mato) is a palm native to tropical South America and Trinidad. It grows up to 15 m (49 ft) tall and is usually solitary. It has ascending leaves, erect inflorescence, and yellow fruit.

Description

A single stemmed, spiny palm. It can form clusters. It has a slender grey trunk. It grows to 25 m high and is 20-30 cm across. The crown is almost round. It has feather-like leaves. They are bright green. The leaves are about 5 m long and finely divided. The leaflets are arranged in groups. There are black spines on the trunk, leaf stalks and midrib of the leaves. The fruiting stalks are 2 m long. They have branches. The flowers are cream. The fruit occur in clusters. They are oval and 4-5 cm across. They are yellowish-orange when ripe. They are edible.

Edible Uses

This plant has edible fruit which may be used for making a kind of juice. It is also used to make a symbolic ring called a tucum ring. Tucum ring is mainly used in Catholic church as a symbol of commitment in social justice, peace building and ecology. A fiber is extracted from the leaves for making hammocks and ropes that resist salt water.

Traditional Uses

The flesh of the fruit is eaten fresh. The leaves are burnt to make vegetable salt. The soft spongy layer of germinated seeds is eaten.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It usually grows in deforested areas. It grows in dry forests in the Amazon in Brazil.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil*, Central America, Columbia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Indonesia, Peru, SE Asia, South America, South America, Suriname, Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela,

Cultivation

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are often difficult to germinate. Soaking or cracking the seed helps germination.

Other Uses

The hard endocarp of various Amazonian species is commonly used to make beads and ornaments for necklaces

Other Information

The fruit are sold in markets. They are popular.

Notes

There are about 40-50 Astrocaryum species. The fruit are very rich in Vitamin A. The kernels contain 23% fat.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Acquero, Akhoyoro, Akorlorlo arau, Akuyuru, Amana, Arapipi, Chambira, Chonta, Cumare, Hericungo, Huana, Jabarana, Kiajuaya, Kumay, Kuru, Murumuru, Palem tukuma, Palma coco, Panima, Star nut palm, Tackoeman, Toekoemaw, Tucuma, Tuinfa, Uyenkague, Waran

References (29)

• Bircher, A. G. & Bircher, W. H., 2000, Encyclopedia of Fruit Trees and Edible Flowering Plants in Egypt and the Subtropics. AUC Press. p 46 (Also as Astrocaryum princeps)
• Blomberry, A. & Rodd, T., 1982, Palms. An informative practical guide. Angus & Robertson. p 58
• Brazil: Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition. http://www.b4fn.org/countries/brazil/
• Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 266
• Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 49

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