Attalea oleifera
Barb.Rodr.
Arecaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Attalea oleifera is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm growing from 7 - 25 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 30 - 45cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of 8 - 30 leaves that are up to 9 metres long[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
,
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of oil, medicine and material for thatching.
Over-exploitation of the leaves as building materials and grazing has apparently caused a decline in reproductive potential. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
,
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
Range
S. America - northeast Brazil.
Habitat
Coastal forest at elevations from 50 - 800 metres[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
]. Transitional forest between the coastal forest and savannah[
768- Title
- Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas
- Publication
-
- Author
- Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R.
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey.
- Year
- 1995
- ISBN
- 0-691-08537-4
- Description
- An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos.
]. High altitude swamps[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 18.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Prefers a sunny position[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Grows best in a moist soil[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
].
Edible Uses
An oil is obtained from the fleshy fruit. It can be used for cooking[
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
].
An oil is obtained from the seed. It is used in cooking[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
,
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
].
Medicinal
The oil from the seeds is active against the tropical flea chigoes (Tunga penetrans) and erysipelas[
739- Title
- Medicinal Plants of Brazil
- Publication
-
- Author
- Mors W.B.; Rizzini C.T.; Pereira N.A.
- Publisher
- Reference Publications; Michigan.
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 0-917256-42-5
- Description
- An extremely concise book, listing approximately 1,500 species and varieties of plants with their botanical name, common name in Brazil, regions in Brazil where the plant is found, a brief list of uses and any medically active compounds in the plant.
].
Other Uses
An oil is obtained from the fleshy fruit and another from the seed. They are used for illumination and for making soap[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
,
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
].
The leaves are used as a thatching material[
769- Title
- A Taxonomic Treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae (Tribe Cocoeae)
- Publication
- Illinois Biological Monographs 59
- Author
- Glassman S.F.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- University of Illinois Press; Chicago.
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- 0-252-06786-X
- Description
- An in depth treatment of the Palm Subtribe Attaleinae. As well as a detailed study of the species, it also mentions various of their uses.
].
Propagation
Seed - sow in a semi-shaded position[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Germination can take up to 5 years[
314- Title
- Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
