Bactris fissifrons

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. It forms clumps and can have 10 stems. It grows 2-3 m tall and they stems are 1-3 cm across. There are 4-12 leaves. The leaves have spines in clusters. They are 4 cm long. The leaves are up to 1 m long and there are 2-3 leafs on each side. The flowers are between the leaves on stalks 10-25 cm long. The fruit are 2-3 cm long by 1.5-2 cm wide. They are yellow and turn purple-black.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest in well drained soils. It grows between 100-265 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The stems are burnt for vegetable salt.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Stems - salt, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chontilla de selva, Coquito, Huati huii, Zitori

Synonyms

Bactris aristata Mart.; Batris fissifrons var. robusta Trail.; Pyrenoglyphis aristata (Mart.) Burret;