Catole
Syagrus smithii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It can be 10-16 m tall. The trunk is grey with indistinct rings. The trunk is 8 cm across. The crown is rounded with arching fronds. The leaves are dark green. They are 2.6-3.1 m long. The leaflets are 60 cm long and with long tips. The leaves can also be undivided. The flowers have a sweet scent. The fruit are oval and 7 cm long by 4 cm across. They occur in heavy clusters. The seed are triangle shaped in cross section. They end abruptly.

There are about 30 Syagrus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the rainforest. In Brazil it grows to 650 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Coco, Kuik, Tookee

Synonyms

Chrysallidosperma smithii H. E. Moore;