Ubussu, Troolie Palm
Manicaria saccifera

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Commonly found in South America, Manicaria saccifera or commonly known as Ubussu is an evergreen, large, single-stemmed palm of up to 10 m tall and 15 - 20 cm stem diameter. It is used medicinally to treat asthma, cough, thrush, and diarrhea. Young leaves are cooked as a vegetable but has to be boiled for 15 minutes to destroy harmful glucosides. The roots are cooked as well; it has high carbohydrate content. The juice of the young fruit is also edible. The seeds yield edible oil. The starchy stems are source of sago. Other uses of the leaves are for thatch and sails. Fibers obtained from the inflorescence are used to make caps, bags, and mats.

Manicaria saccifera is an evergreen Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Swampy areas. Lowland forest, generally in flooded areas and usually near the sea, though occasionally extending further inland and ascending to 1,200 metres.

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; north to Trinidad; and through Central America to Guatemala.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Trinidad and Tobago; Belize; Costa Rica; Guatemala; Honduras; Nicaragua; Panama; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of; Colombia; Ecuador; Peru; Brazil, Amazon, Australia, Belize, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Peru, South America, Suriname, Venezuela, West Indies,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

An edible oil is obtained from the seeds. The liquid endosperm of unripe fruits is drunk. The fruit is 4 - 6cm in diameter. Sago is obtained from the starchy stems.

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

Medicine

Rating: 2

Several parts of the palm, including the apical bud, serve medicinal purposes. A decoction of the root, combined with bamboo leaves and a decoction of Euterpe precatoria roots, is used to treat asthma and coughs. The liquid from immature, green fruits is employed as a diuretic, and remedy for coughs, asthma and thrush. It is also used to treat diarrhoea.

Antiasthmatic: Treats asthma.

Antidiarrhoeal: Provides symptomatic relief for diarrhoea. Also see Astringent.

Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses The leaves are utilized as thatch and sails. This species produces the largest entire leaves of any known palm, and for this reason, as well as on account of their firm and rigid texture, they form the very best and most durable thatch. The leaves are split down the midrib and the halves laid obliquely on the rafters, so that the furrows formed by the veins lie in a nearly vertical direction and serve as so many little gutters to carry off the water more rapidly. A well-made thatch will last ten or twelve years, and an indigenous person will often take a week's voyage in order to get a canoe-load of the leaves to cover his house. The fibres, obtained from the peduncular bracts of the inflorescences, are used for making caps, bags and mats.

Containers: Plants, such as gourds, that can be used as containers. Does not include baskets or containers made from wood.

Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.

Thatching: Used for making thatched roofs.

How it is grown

A plant of the lowland, moist tropics. It cannot tolerate any frost. Spacing: 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m) 10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m).

Propagating it: Seed -

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 11-12

Growth: Medium

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Ubussu, Troolie Palm, Busso, Sleeve palm, Temiche palm, Jiquera, Ubi, Palmier toulouri, Yolillo, Troolie, Escomfra, Guagara, Truli, Temiche, Manaco, Silico,

Synonyms

Manicaria atricha Burret Manicaria martiana Burret Manicaria plukenetii Griseb. & H.Wendl. Pilophora