Arikury palm
Syagrus schizophylla

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It sometimes forms clusters. It grows 5 m high. The trunks have leaf bases and fibres. The trunk itself is 15 cm across. The crown is made up of dark green leaves with slender stalks. They arch over and sometimes have a twist. The leaves are 2 m long. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves have long black leaf bases which cover the trunk. These are spiny near the base. The flowering stalk produces 2.5 cm long egg shaped fruit. These are reddish-orange. The fruit is edible.

There are about 30 Syagrus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It will grow in tropical and subtropical places. It is somewhat cold tolerant. It needs protection from direct sun when young. It cannot tolerate frost or drought. It can grow on a range of soils providing they are well drained. In Brisbane Botanical gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

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

How it is used for food

The pulp of the fruit is eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate in about 2 months.

Its other names

Local names

Aricuri, Aricuriroba, Licuriroba, Palem ratu arikuri

Synonyms

Arikury schizophylla (Mart.) Becc.; Arikuryroba capanemae Barb. Rodr.; Arikuryroba schizophylla (Mart.) L. H. Bailey; Cocos arikuryroba Barb. Rodr.; Cocos capanemae (Barb. Rodr.) Drude; Cocos schizophylla Mart.;