Astrocaryum sciophilum
(Miq.) Pulle
Arecaceae
Astrocaryum plicatum Drude
Bactris sciophila Miq.
Common Name:
General Information
Astrocaryum sciophilum is an unbranched, single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree. The stems of young plants are usually subterranean, but in older plants it grows more above ground and can become 2 - 4 metres long, with some older specimens growing up to 12 metres long and 12 - 17cm in diameter. The stems are topped by a crown of 7 - 12 stiffly erect leaves that can each be up to 6.5 metres long including the petiolet[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
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.
,
1874- Title
- Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment
- Publication
- Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531
- Author
- Kahn F. & Millán B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use, and possibly also as a food.
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.
,
1874- Title
- Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment
- Publication
- Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531
- Author
- Kahn F. & Millán B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
Northern S. America - Brazil, the Guyanas.
Habitat
Undergrowth of rainforests, often forming pure stands, at elevations up to 450 metres, but avoiding the coastal regions[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
]. Usually found in areas that are not subject to seasonal inundation[
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.
].
Properties
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 5.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
The liquid endosperm (developing seed) of the unripe fruits is drunk[
1869- Title
- The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae)
- Publication
- Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008)
- Author
- Kahn F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 1727-9933
- Description
-
,
1874- Title
- Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment
- Publication
- Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531
- Author
- Kahn F. & Millán B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The obovoid fruit is up to 70mm long and 30 - 40mm wide, with a dry and fibrous mesocarp surrounding a single, large seed[
1874- Title
- Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment
- Publication
- Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531
- Author
- Kahn F. & Millán B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
].
The palm heart (the inner core and growing bud of the plant) is harvested from various species in this genus[
1869- Title
- The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae)
- Publication
- Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008)
- Author
- Kahn F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 1727-9933
- Description
-
]. 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 plant, however, since it is unable to produce new shoots[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
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[
1869- Title
- The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae)
- Publication
- Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008)
- Author
- Kahn F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 1727-9933
- Description
-
]. 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[
1869- Title
- The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae)
- Publication
- Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008)
- Author
- Kahn F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 1727-9933
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
The seed contains an oil that is used to treat various wounds and fractures[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].
A paste prepared from the fruit is used to treat sprains and fractures[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. (This entry may refer to Astrocaryum murumuru rather than this species[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].)
Other Uses
The hard endocarp of various Amazonian species is commonly used to make beads and ornaments for necklaces[
1869- Title
- The genus Astrocaryum (Arecaceae)
- Publication
- Rev. peru. biol. 15(supl. 1): 031- 048 (Noviembre 2008)
- Author
- Kahn F.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2008
- ISBN
- 1727-9933
- Description
-
]
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
