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.
This species is closely related to Astrocaryum vulgare, differing mainly in producing green fruits on a solitary trunk whilst Astrocaryum vulgare produces orange fruits on a cluster of trunks[].

Common Name: Tucuma

General Information

Astrocaryum tucuma is an evergreen, solitary-stemmed palm tree growing up to 25 metres tall, though usually much smaller[, ]. The unbranched stems are covered in long black spines; the stems can be 8 - 20 metres long and 12 - 25cm, occasionally to 40cm, in diameter; and they are topped with a rosette of 6 - 15 erect leaves that can each be up to 6 metres long[].
This is one of the most popular fruits in the Amazon region, where it is usually gathered from the wild and is often sold in local markets[, ]. The tree is also often utilised from the wild by local people as a source of timber, food, oil and fibres[]. There is some evidence of former cultivation because of its frequent occurrence in the neighbourhood of settlements and villages[]. It has been truly cultivated in Brazil by the indigenous peoples[] and is also valuable as a pioneer species for restoring the forest.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Bolivia, northern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitat

Rainforest[]. Dry land forests in the Amazon[]. Most frequent in deforested areas, usually associated with present and past human settlements[]. It is rarely found in lowland rain forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Astrocaryum tucuma succeeds in moist tropical climates where temperatures never fall below 10°c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain[].
Requires a sunny, sheltered position[]. Plants prefer a well-drained soil, though they do not like dry conditions at their roots[, ]. Prefers a sandy soil[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The orange, fibreless pulp is slightly sweet[]. The pulp is fibrous[]. A flavour similar to apricots[]. Highly appreciated, the fruits are commonly eaten raw and also used to make juices and ice cream. The fruit is one of the traditional components of the regional breakfast in Amazonian Brazil, which has become more and more popular since the 1980’s[]. The fruit is 5 - 6cm in diameter and weighs around 70g[]. A good source of vitamins A, B and C[].

The endosperm of the seeds is eaten[].

An oil can be obtained from the fruits and the seed[, , ]. Similar to coconut oil[].
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[].

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. The heart of this species is not highly favoured[]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make new shoots[].

Medicinal

The oil extracted from the seeds is used medicinally[].

The liquid endosperm of unripe fruits is used as eye drops[].

The leaves are used to disinfect the umbilical cord of newborn babies, and as a remedy for thrush[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The seeds of this species are often buried as a food store by animals. Many of these seeds will then germinate, especially after a fire. The plant will often grow in open spaces and the seed will also germinate freely after a forest fire. Thus this plant is an excellent pioneer species to use when restoring native forest and also for use when creating a woodland garden[].

Other Uses

An oil can be obtained from the seed and fruits[, ]. The oil can be used as a biofuel[].

The oils extracted from the fruit and the seed are used as ingredients in commercial cosmetic preparations as emollients and skin conditioners[].

A fine, soft, strong fibre can be obtained from the leaves[, ]. It is used for weaving and cordage[]. The fibres of the young leaves are made into nets, hammocks etc[]. The fibre is easy to extract because it lies just under the epidermis of the leaf, which is so exceedingly thin that it is easily rubbed off, leaving the fibre white and clean[].

The leaflets are used in making baskets[].

The smoke from burning the epicarp of the fruit is used to cure rubber[].

The woody seed shell is used traditionally to make rings, earrings, necklaces etc[]. It is also halved and used as small bowls in which to place medications by Shamans when treating a patient[].

Wood - hard, strong and durable[, ]. Rot-resistant, it is used in making traditional houses[, ].

Propagation

Seed -pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and sow in containers[]. The seed is enclosed in a hard endocarp which makes germination slow and erratic[]. Scarifying the seed before soaking can reduce germination time[].

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