Bactris gasipaes var. gasipaes

Bactris gasipaes var. gasipaes


Morphology:
Subcanopy palm. Stems clustered, to 15 m tall and 15 cm in diameter. Leaves 2-3.5 m long; pinnae to 125 on each side, inserted in groups and spreading in different planes, the central ones to 80 cm long and 4 cm wide. Inflorescence 40-70 cm long; branches up to 50, to 35 cm long. Fruit red, smooth, 3-5 cm in diameter; fruiting perianth with a very small calyx and a much longer, briefly lobed corolla; staminodial ring absent.



Distribution:
Planted or naturalised, always near human settlements, in humid lowland areas throughout tropical America.


Common
names:

Amarija

Zaparo

(Borchsenius et al. 1998).

Cano-chi

Chachi

(Barfod & Balslev 1988).

Canuchi

Chachi

(Lindskoog & Lindskoog 1964).

Chonta

Quichua

(Balslev & Barfod 1987 and additional references).

Chonta duro

Spanish

(Balslev & Barfod 1987 and additional references).

Chontaduro

Spanish

(C. Ceron #195).

Chunda

Quichua

(Orr & Wrisley 1981 and additional references).

Chunda duru

Quichua

(Ponce 1992).

O´ma

Cofán

(Borman 1976 and additional references).

Pahua chunda

Quichua

(Orr & Wrisley 1981).

Pifayo


(Gonzalez et al. 1985).

Pijuayo


(Gonzalez et al. 1985).

Puca chunda

Quichua

(Orr & Wrisley 1981).

Quillu chunda

Quichua

(Orr & Wrisley 1981).

Shalin chunda

Quichua

(Orr & Wrisley 1981).

Tewe

Waorani

(Lescure et al. 1987).

Uwi

Achuar, shuar

(Descola 1989 and additional references).

Uses:

A root decoction is drunk to cure diarrhea
(R. Marles #43).

Fruit harvest is done with a long pole with a hook or by climbing Inga or Cecropia spp. trees purposely planted next to the palm
(Borchsenius et al. 1998 and additional references).

Fruits are edible, boiled or roasted
(A. Barfod #60022 and additional references).

Fruits are often sold on lowland markets
(B. Bergmann #97804 and additional references).

Fruits may be smoked and stored, and a drink is often made from grated fruits
(H.V. Pinkley #95A).

The palm heart is edible, and plantations for industrial production of palm hearts is established in several places in Ecuador, including the area around Santo Domingo de los Colorados in W Ecuador and Puyo in the E Andean foothills
(Borchsenius et al. 1998).

The stem is used for house pooles and floor, fish traps, spears, blowguns, marimba keys, and other crafting
(Barfod & Balslev 1988 and additional references).

Synonym
list
(11)

Specimen
list