Acuma palm
Syagrus flexuosa

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A small palm. The stems are slender. It can have one or several stems. They grow to 2-5 m high. The trunks are 8 cm across. Sometimes the trunk is covered with old leaf bases. The plant reaches 2-4 m across. The leaves are pinnate or feather like. These are 1-2 m long. The leaflets are narrow and deep green. The flowering stalks are 45 cm long. They arise from between the leaves and hang down. The flowers are green. The fruit are brown when ripe. They are slightly oval and 3 cm long.

There are about 30 Syagrus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It needs tropical or subtropical locations. In Brazil it grows to 1225m altitude. It needs a temperature above 13°C. Plants are damaged by frost. They need moist, well-drained soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

The fruit can be eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, nuts, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are erratic to germinate.

Seedlings grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Acuma, Acum, Acuman, Coco de campo, Palmito do Campo

Synonyms

Cocos campestris Mart.; Cocos flexuosa Mart.; Cocos flexuosa var. cataphracta Mart.; Cocos flexuosa var. densiflora Mart.; Cocos urbaniana Dammer; Syagrus campestris (Mart.) H. Wendl.; Syagrus urbaniana (Dammer) Becc.;