Assai palm, Jucara palm, Para palm
Euterpe edulis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A tall palm. It grows to 10 m high. The trunk is slender. It is 12 cm across. The trunks are light grey or brown and has prominent rings of leaf base scars. These are darker and widely spaced. The crown-shaft is prominent. It is 1 m long. The leaves are dark green and have leaflets along the stalk. They are fine and feathery. They are crowded and drooping. The fruit are small, round and black to brown. They are 1-1.4 cm across. They droop in clusters below the crown-shaft.

There are between 7 and 18 Euterpe species. It has antioxidant properties.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. It can grow under dark conditions. They suit subtropical and temperate locations. They like a rich, well-drained soil. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil (country/location of origin), Ecuador, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Paraguay, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The seeds are crushed in water to produce a drink called Assai. The young shoots or cabbage is eaten, cooked or raw. The unopened flower stalk is pickled. The fruit are eaten fresh and used for juices or ice-cream.

They are grown commercially for palm hearts in Brazil.

Edible parts

Seeds, fruit, cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

The plants are grown from fresh seed. Seed germination can be improved by leaching the seed in water at 30°C for 72 hours. Young plants need protection from direct sun for the first few years. Seed only remain viable for 3 months.

Plants grow slowly. A tree produces about 1,200-2,500 seeds each year.

Its other names

Local names

Acai-do-sul, Acaf, Coco-de-jissara, Coco-de-palmito, Coco-de-ripa, Coco-de-usara, Ensarova, Icara, Imi pu'e, Jacara, Jicara, Jocara, Jucura, Jucara-branca, Jucara-vermelho, Jucoara, Jussara palm, Palmeteiro-doce, Palmiteiro, Palmito-doce, Ripa, Ripeira, Ucara palm, Yayih

Synonyms

Euterpe edulis var. clausa Mattos; Euterpe egusquizae Bertoni; Euterpe espiritosantensis Fernandes;