Bactris glaucescens

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. It grows 2-4 m tall. the trunk is 3-4 cm across. It has a ring of spines near the nodes. There are 4-16 leaves. These have spines about 1 cm long and scattered. The fruit are 1.2-1.5 cm across. They are purple-black. It has a fleshy pulp.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows along streams and between 100-275 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, South America

How it is used for food

The pulp of the ripe fruit is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Magueto, Marayau, Tucum, Tucum azedo, Tucum preto, Tucum-roxo, Tucum-verde

Synonyms

Bactris anisitsii Barb.Rodr.; Bactris glaucescens var. melanacantha Drude; Bactris tucum Burret;