Common Name: Pacaya

General Information

Pacaya is a small, usually single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing 2 - 7 metres tall, though the plant sometimes produces more than one stem. The unbranched stem can be 2 - 10cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of 3 - 7 leaves[, , ].
Pacaya is a very popular and important vegetable in the areas of South and Central America where it grows. It is cultivated in the rainforests for its edible male flower inflorescence, which is often sold in local markets[, ]. There are some named varieties[]. The plant is often grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The juice of the fruit of most members of this genus is said to be an irritant to the skin[].

Botanical References

,

Range

Northwestern S. America - Colombia; C. America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitat

Moist, humus-rich soils in the understorey of the rainforests[, ]. Forests, often on limestone soils, at elevations up to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 15 - 32°c[]. It can be killed by temperatures of 2°c or lower[]. Plants can tolerate occasional light frosts[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,000mm[].
An easily grown plant if its basic requirements are met[]. It requires at least moderate shade, and can tolerate deep shade[]. It requires a well-drained, moist, humus-rich soil[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8[].
A variable plant in the wild, with some forms growing 7 metres or more tall and others only 2 metres[].
A fast-growing plant, producing flowers and fruit when only a few years old[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[, ].

Edible Uses

The immature, male inflorescence is eaten raw or cooked[, , ]. It is harvested before the inflorescence opens, at which stage it looks like an ear of corn[]. Added to salads or cooked as a vegetable[, ]. A bitter flavour, it is sometimes cooked in several changes of water[].

Leaves - cooked[]. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[]. Eating this bud leades to the death of the tree because it is unable to make any side shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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