Babacu, Catole, Indaia rasteir
Attalea exigua
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A palm. The stems are short and underground. They can be in clusters. There are 4-8 leaves. These arch over. The leaflets are arranged in clusters and spread in different planes. The flowering stalks are borne among the leaves. The male flowers have flattened petals. The fruit have 1-2 seeds. They are oval. The fruit are 4-6 cm long by 3-5.5 cm across. They are reddish-orange and become dark purple at maturity.
There are between (22) 30-71 Attalea species. Some authorities divide them among Attalea, Orbignya, Scheela and Maximiliana.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in open locations below 800 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, South America
How it is used for food
The fruit are used to sweeten food.
Edible parts
Fruit