Larmarck dictyocaryum
Dictyocaryum lamarckianum

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm with stilt roots. The stem is single. It grows 25 m high. The trunk is 40 cm across. The trunk is often swollen near the middle. There are a dense cone of stilt roots around the trunk. There are 3-6 leaves. These have a feather-like appearance. The flowering stalk is very large. The fruit are round and 2.5-3 cm across. They are greenish-yellow.

There are 3 Dictyocaryum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in mountain rainforest on steep slopes. It grows between 1,000-2,000 m altitude. It is usually in areas of high rainfall between 3,500-6,000 mm per year.

Countries/locations it is found in

Andes, Bolivia, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, South America, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The endocarp of the fruit is sweet. The young flowering stalks are eaten. The heart of the palm is eaten.

Edible parts

Young flower, fruit, cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Barrigona, Basanco, Bombon, Narupa, Palma Barrigona, Wakra chanka

Synonyms

Deckeria lamarckiana (Mart.) H. Karst; Dictyocaryum globiferum Dugand; Dictyocaryum platysepalum Burret; Dictyocaryum schultzei Burret; Dictyocaryum superbum Burret; Iriartea lamarckianum Mart.;