Catole
Attalea oleifera

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. The stems are straight. They are 3-20 m tall. They can be shorter or taller. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. There are 8-30 leaves. They are held stiffly erect. The leaflets are arranged regularly. They spread in the same plane. The flowering stalks are borne among the leaves. The fruit have 1-4 seeds. They are oval and 7-11 cm long by 4-6 cm wide. They are rusty brown colour.

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 coastal rainforest below 800 m on the Atlantic Coast of Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds, nuts, oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Andaia, Indaia, Indaja, Ouricuri, Palmeira-indaia

Synonyms

Attalea burretiana Bondar; Attalea compta Mart.; Attalea concentrista Bondar;