Elegant spinyclubpalm
Bactris concinna

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm which forms a cluster. The stems can reach 8 m high. The trunks are covered with a dense mat of grey leaf fibres. There are rings of black spines 1.5 cm long. The leaves are 1.3-1.6 m long. The leaflets are regularly spaced and dark green. They grow in a flat plane. The leaf stalk is spiny. The fruit are pointed and in tightly packed bunches. There are 2 small branches with about 40 fruit on each. The fruit are 2.5 cm long and edible. They are dark purple brown.

There are 239 Bactris species. There are 75 species in tropical America. Most Bactris have fruit that are edible but many are not attractive.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lowland rainforest. It needs moist soil. It can grow in sun or shade. It grows along the edges of blackwater rivers. It also grow in swamps.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten. They are also used for drinks.

The fruit are sold in markets. They are also especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, palm hearts, cabbage

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Achupara, Chontilla, Dabayowe, Huii, Inzupara, Maraja, Marajau, Nejilla, Nu-que, Shinf, Shini, Sii

Synonyms

Bactris concinna subsp. depauperata Trail; Bactris concinna var. depauperata (Trail) Drude; Bactris concinna var. inundata Spruce; Pyrenoglyphis concinna (Mart.) Burret; Pyrenoglyphis concinna var. depauperata (Trail) Burret; Pyrenoglyphis concinna var. inundata (Spruce) Burret;