Coco curua palm, Mountain maripa palm
Attalea microcarpa

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. The stems are short and underground. There are 6-16 leaves. The leaflets are arranged regularly and spread in the same plane. The flowering stalks are erect and borne among the leaves. The male flowers have flattened petals which curve inwards. There are 9-15 tightly coiled and twisted stamens. The fruit have 1-3 seeds. They are oval and 3.5-4 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. They are dark orange.

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 lowland rainforests near the edges of the forest. It is in wet places at low altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Indonesia, Peru, SE Asia, South America (country/location of origin), Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The immature endosperm is eaten. The sap is used to make a fermented drink.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, buds, sap

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Catarina, Mabaco, Macoupi, Mavaco, Palem maripa, Shapaja

Synonyms

Attalea agrestis Barb. Rodr.; Attalea polysticha (Burret) Wess. Boer.; Attalea sagotii (Trail)Wess. Boer.; Orbignya agrestis (Barb. Rodr.) Burret; Orbignya microcarpa (Mart.) Burret; Orbignya polysticha Burret; Orbignya sabulosa Barb. Rodr.; Orbignya sagotii Trail ex Thurn;