Arecaceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Astrocaryum carnosum

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Astrocaryum carnosum is a spiny, multi-stemmed evergreen palm with short or underground stems that in time can reach a height of 2 metres and 18cm in diameter. Each stem has a crown of 8 - 12 large leaves that can be up to 7 metres tall including the petiole[ 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. Astrocaryum carnosum has a restricted range, being known only from a few locations in the upper Huallaga Valley in Peru. The habitat in which this species resides is being threatened and lost by deforestation for agriculture. However, the species is very resilient to habitat transformation because of its clustering habit and underground suckering.The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - central Peru

HabitatSeasonal swamp forest and forests on alluvial soils, usually dominating the understorey in combination with other palm species[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].