Arecaceae FAMILY

Astrocaryum aculeatum

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Astrocaryum aculeatum is spiny, multi-stemmed evergreen palm producing several stems usually 2 - 6 metres tall, occasionally to 12 metres. These unbranched stems can be 3 - 10cm in diameter; they are covered with flattened spines up to 15cm long; and are topped with a rosette of 6 - 13 horizontal leaves that can be up to 3 metres long including the petiole[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. , 1874 Title Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment Publication Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531 Author Kahn F. & Millán B. Publisher Year 1992 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Bolivia, northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

HabitatAn understorey plant in lowland rainforest, growing in areas not subject to seasonal inundation, at elevations up to 650 metres, occasionally to 850 metres[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. ].