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Astrocaryum vulgare

Authority Mart. Family Liliopsida:Arecidae:Arecales:Palmae Synonyms Astrocaryum awarra de Vriese, Astrocaryum guianense Splig. ex Mart., Astrocaryum segregatum Drupe, Astrocaryum tucuma of Wallace, Astrocaryum tucumoides Drupe, Synonyms Common names acuarra, adquiere, aouara, awarra, chambira, cumare, cumari, fiber palm, güere, hericungo, palmier tucuman, tucum, tucum bravo, tucuma, tucumã do Pará, tucumai Editor Ecocrop code 3522

Notes
DESCRIPTION: Spiny, evergreen, single-stemmed feather palm to 10-17 m. Some rare individuals are spineless. Palms usually found in clusters rarely solitary. USE: The fruit pulp is used to prepare juice and the kernel shell it contains an excellent oil similar that of to coconut and oil palm. The bud gives palmito. The immature endosperm gives a juice called vino de tucuma, used for a drink or in culinary preparations. A wine is made from the fermented sap of the spathe. The seed contains a hard white substance from which a fine edible fat can be extracted. The kernel shell is used for handicrafts (rings, bracelets, collars, etc.). The leaf fibers are extracted to make ropes, fishing nets, bags, clothes. This fiber is resistant to rot and damage and was therefore in use on sail- ships in the earlier centuries. The stems are used as poles for fences, corrals, and rural housing. The fat extracted from the seeds can also be used for soap-making. The fruit can be utilized against the eye disease xerophthalmia (also called ophthalmoxerosis) of which the deficiency of vitamin A is the main reason. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Adquiere, Awarra, Fiber palm. FURTHER INF: Found in the rainforest of the Amazon and the savannas of Suriname on flat to gently rolling terrain. Occurrence abundant, especially in disturbed sites. Seedlings require some shade and larger palms thrives in full sun.
Sources
Eeckenbrugge and Ferla 2000 (Astrocaryum vulgare)