American Oil Palm
Elaeis oleifera

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

American Oil Palm or Elaeis oleifera is a palm species native to South and Central America. It is large and single-stemmed topped by a crown of large, arching leaves. It grows at least 6 m tall. Flowers and fruits are bright red in colour and form into dense clusters. Oil obtained from the pulp is used against rheumatism and dandruff, to promote hair growth and to repel insects. The plant produces two types of oil used as cooking oil, and for making margarine, ice cream, soaps, detergents, shampoos, etc. - palm oil (from the fruit) and kernel oil (from the seeds).

Elaeis oleifera is an evergreen Tree growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

More or less open forest in moist, sandy soils that are often poorly drained. Low-lying wet areas along the sides of rivers and streams, often persisting in cleared areas.

S. America - northern Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Honduras.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Costa Rica; Honduras; Nicaragua; Panama; French Guiana; Suriname; Colombia; Ecuador; Peru; Brazil, Amazon, Australia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Oil - two types of oil are obtained from the plant. Palm oil is obtained from the fruit whilst palm kernel oil is obtained from the seed. Both have a wide range of uses, including making margarine, ice cream and as a cooking oil.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

The oil obtained from the pulp is applied externally in the treatment of rheumatism, to invigorate hair growth, combat dandruff and to repel insects. Hairs from the leaf axils are said to be haemostatic.

Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.

Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.

Other

Rating: 5

Other Uses: Oil - two types of oil are obtained from the plant. Palm oil is obtained from the fruit whilst palm kernel oil is obtained from the seed. These oils contain a high proportion of unsaturated fatty acids. Both have a wide range of uses, including making soaps, detergents, shampoos, cosmetics, hair creams, lubricating oil, additives and fluxes. The oil can be applied to the body as an insect repellent.

Cosmetic: Used to improve the physical appearence of a person.

Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

Soap: Plants used directly as a soap substitute.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Oil: (0-15 percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Some of these are consumed whole while others are exclusively pressed for oil. Annuals include canola, poppyseed, maize, cottonseed, sunflower, peanut. Perennials include high-oil fruits, seeds, and nuts, such as olive, coconut, avocado, oil palm, shea, pecan, and macadamia. Some perennial oil crops are consumed whole as fruits and nuts, while others are exclusively pressed for oil (and some are used fresh and for oil).

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A plant of the lowland, moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 510 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 14 - 34°c. It can be killed by temperatures of 8°c or lower. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,400 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 700 - 3,500mm. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small. Requires a humus-rich, well-drained soil, but is not fussy as to soil type. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, tolerating 5 - 7.3. A slow growing tree. Plants can commence bearing just 3 years after the seed has germinated. The plant produces both male and female flowers, but not usually at the same time. An individual inflorescence will be all male or all female flowers; after a series of inflorescences of one sex the plant will then produce a series of inflorescences of the opposite sex. Spacing: 15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m) 20-30 ft. (6-9 m).

Propagating it: Seed - pre-soak 24 hours in warm water and sow in containers. Germination takes place in 2 - 5 months.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Corozo, Batana, Murisi, Caiaue, Noli, Ujun, Palmiche, Coquito, batana, murísi,

Synonyms

Alfonsia oleifera Kunth Corozo oleifera (Kunth) L.H.Bailey Elaeis melanococca Mart.

American Oil Palm Elaeis oleifera