Attalea phalerata
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Contents |
Common Names:
Scheelea Palm,
Shapaja (local name)
Distribution & Habitat:
Found in both savannah and forest of Brazil, Peru and Paraguay.
Description:
A stout, solitary palm whose trunk rarely gets taller than 4m and which is often covered with old leaf bases. It has a plumose head of up to 30 large leaves that are held erect in a shuttlecock-like crown. It has large bunches of bright yellow, oily fruits that are up to 11cm long.
General:
The plants are used extensively by the locals. The leaves are a major source of thatch and the fibrous seed coating is chewed and sucked when ripe.
Culture:
A sunny position in the tropics/sub-tropics.
Contributed by:
Miguel Jaramillo (Figure 1)
