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Aphandra natalia
(Balslev & A.J.Hend.) Barfod
Original
reference:
Opera Bot. 105: 46 (1991)
Basionym:
Ammandra natalia Balslev & A.J.Hend.
Morphology:
Stem solitary, to 10 m tall, ca. 20 cm in diameter. Leaves to 6 m long, sometimes with the axis twisting and the distal part of leaf blade held in a vertical position; sheaths with numerous dark-brown fibres at their margins; leaf axis with numerous black scales, especially below; pinnae 90-120 on each side, regularly arranged in one plane, the central ones to 1 m long, 4-6 cm wide. Male inflorescence pendulous, to 2 m long, yellowish brown. Female inflorescence compact, ca. 25 cm long, cream coloured at anthesis. Infructescence 30-45 cm in diameter, borne on a 20-30 cm long peduncle; fruits 30-50 per infructescence, brown.
Distribution:
W part of the Amazon basin in Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil, on terra firme and on periodically inundated river banks.
Common
names:
Chili
-
Quichua
(H.B. Pedersen #104005 and additional references).
Chili muyu
-
Quichua
(Ponce 1992).
Chili-moyo
-
Quichua
(Y. Mexia #6905).
Chili-puncho
-
Quichua
(H.B. Pedersen #104005).
Chiri´si
-
Cofán
(Borman 1976).
Escoba
-
Spanish
(R. Alarcón #123).
Fibra
-
Spanish
(Pedersen 1992).
Kinchuk
-
Achuar
(Descola 1989).
Kintiuk
-
Achuar
(Pedersen 1992).
Piasaba
-
(Gonzalez et al. 1985).
Piassaba
-
Spanish
(H. Balslev #62465).
Shili
-
(Gonzalez et al. 1985).
Shili muyo
-
Quichua
(R. Alarcón #123).
Sili
-
Quichua
(Pedersen 1992).
Silli
-
Quichua
(Orr & Wrisley 1981).
Tindiuqui
-
Shuar
(H.B. Pedersen #104005).
Tintiuk
-
Shuar
(Bianchi 1988).
Tintiuki
-
Shuar
(Mundo Shuar 1977).
Wamowe
-
Waorani - upriver dialect
(E.W. Davis #997).
Uses:
Fibres are used for fire-starters, torches, and ´blowgunbore cleaners´, baskets are made from the leaves
(E.W. Davis #997).
Mature hard seeds are a potential source of vegetable ivory; leaf base fibres are used commercially to produce the majority of brooms in Ecuador; blowgun darts are carved from the leaf rachis; protective sheaths for blowgun darts are made from the spear leaf pinnae; leaves are occasionally used for thatch
(Pedersen 1992).
The leaf rachis is used for ceremonial head bands and darts
(E.W. Davis #997).
The mesoarp is edible and marketed in Sucua; the endosperm is edible when young and liquid or jelly-like; male inflorescence are eaten by cattle
(Pedersen 1992).
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Infructesecences of Aphandra natalia
Photo:
AAU palm archive
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