There has been considerable confusion over the correct identities of Astrocaryum aculeatum, Astrocaryum gynacanthum, and Astrocaryum tucuma. See Rodrigo Bernal, '(1837) Proposal to conserve the name Astrocaryum aculeatum (Palmae) with a conserved type'; TAXON 57 (3) August 2008: 29, pp 10-11.
It was proposed that the use of Astrocaryum aculeatum to refer to the tucuma (Astrocaryum tucuma) should be conserved and thus Astrocaryum tucuma would be treated as a synonym of Astrocaryum aculeatum. Astrocaryum gynacanthum would be maintained as a distinct species. However, the proposal was rejected and so Astrocaryum aculeatum is now the correct name for the species formerly known as Astrocaryum gynacanthum (with Astrocaryum gynacanthum as a synonym)), whilst Astrocaryum tucuma is now the correct name for the tucuma.

Common Name:

General Information

Astrocaryum aculeatum is spiny, multi-stemmed evergreen palm producing several stems usually 2 - 6 metres tall, occasionally to 12 metres. These unbranched stems can be 3 - 10cm in diameter; they are covered with flattened spines up to 15cm long; and are topped with a rosette of 6 - 13 horizontal leaves that can be up to 3 metres long including the petiole[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Bolivia, northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

An understorey plant in lowland rainforest, growing in areas not subject to seasonal inundation, at elevations up to 650 metres, occasionally to 850 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. Floury[]. Occasionally eaten[]. More or less sweet[]. The bright orange, obovoid fruit is up to 30mm long and 15mm in diameter[].

The palm heart (the inner core and growing bud of the plant) is harvested[]. It provides a crispy food, rich in nutrients, that can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvesting the heart will lead to the death of the stem it was harvested from, though in multi-stemmed plants such as this the rest of the plant will continue to grow and often produce new stems.

The apical bud is sometimes burnt and the ashes used as a salt substitute[].

We have no specific information for this species, but the fruits and seeds of various species in this genus are reported to be used for oil production in the Amazon region[]. Existing analyses of fruit fat content show a relatively homogeneous composition among the different species, with around. 20% of fat content in the mesocarp, mostly composed of oleic and palm itic acids, and 20 - 35% of fat content in the endosperm, with a predominance of lauric acid[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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

Propagation

Seed -

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