Jucara Palm, Assai Palm
Euterpe edulis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Jucara Palm or Euterpe edulis, otherwise known as jussara, acai-do-sul, or palmiteiro, is a tall, tropical palm tree primarily used for its palm heart. It grows usually about 10 m tall and 12 cm across. The trunk is light grey or brown in colour, and has prominent rings of leaf base scars. The leaves are dark green and have fine and feathery leaflets along the stalk. The fruits are small, round, and black to brown. Juice from the young stem is applied to wounds to stop bleeding. The leaves can be consumed raw or cooked. It is crunchy with a sweet flavour. The fruit has a thin, fleshy, fibrous pulp. It is made into a juice or ice cream. It can also be used to make alcohol or as a substitute to petrol. The wood is of low quality but can be used for rafters, beams, water troughs, and posts. A drink called Assai is obtained by crushing the seeds of Jucara palm. The unopened flower stalk is pickled. E. edulis is slow-growing.

Euterpe edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium 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 and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 30

Where it is found

An understorey tree of swampy ground in high rainfall forests, at elevations from sea level to 1,200 metres.

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Argentina; Paraguay; Brazil, Asia, Australia, Argentina, Ecuador, Guyana, India, Paraguay, SE Asia, Singapore, South America,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 5

Leaves - raw or cooked. Crunchy, with a sweet flavour. A tropical delicacy, they can also be eaten raw in salads. A highly prized dish, often called 'Millionaires salad' due to its price. The unexpanded leaves and bud from the crown of the plant are used. Harvesting these leaves kills the plant because it is unable to make side-shoots. Fruit - made into a juice. The fruit has a thin, fleshy, fibrous pulp. It is made into a high calorie juice. The fruit is used for making a nutritious beverage or ice-cream. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter. The seeds are crushed in water to produce a drink called Assai.

Apical bud: Typically, the end of a shoot contains an apical bud, which is the location where shoot growth occurs.

Oil: Oil

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The juice squeezed from the young stem is applied to wounds to stop bleeding.

Other

Rating: 2

Other Uses: The fruit has the potential to be used to make alcohol as a petrol substitute. The wood is light in weight, hard, long lasting in dry sites. Although of low quality, it is used locally in making rural buildings for purposes such as rafters and beams; for water troughs, posts and as a source of cellulose.

Alcohol: Used for fuel etc. (this is wood alcohol, it is not the sort that can be drunk.

Fuel: Usually wood, plant materials that have been mentioned as being a good fuel.

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.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

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

How it is grown

A plant of moist tropical and subtropical climates, where it is found at elevations from sea level to around 1,200 metres. It grows in areas where the temperatures never fall below 10c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain. Grows best in a warm, sheltered, and moist site that is well drained. It likes filtered sunlight when young, but can take full sun as it matures. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 5, tolerating 4.1 - 5.6. A fast-growing plant. Utilizing the plant for its edible apical bud always leads to its eventual death since the palm is unable to form side branches and thus is unable to grow any more. This has led to plant populations coming under pressure in some areas. Spacing: 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m); 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m); 10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m). They are grown commercially for palm hearts in Brazil.

Propagating it: Seed - it has a short viability of less than three months and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. Pre-soak them in cold water for 24 hours prior to sowing. A germination rate of around 80% or more can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 70 days. The seed germinates rapidly and grows quickly.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-12

Growth: Medium

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Yayih, Imi pu'e, Jussara palm, Palmito-doce, Acaf,

Synonyms

Euterpe egusquizae Bertoni ex Hauman Euterpe espiritosantensis H.Q.B.Fern