Mangue
Attalea nucifera
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A palm. The stems are short and underground. There are 7-13 leaves. These are arranged regularly and in the same plane. The flowering stalk is borne amongst the leaves. The stalk is short. The male flowers have flattened petals and 6-7 stamens. The fruit have 2-3 seeds. They are narrowly oval and 6.5-7 cm long by 4-5 cm wide. They are brown.
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 dry to wet areas in Colombia. It grows between 200-800 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Colombia, South America
How it is used for food
The seeds yield an edible oil.
Edible parts
Nuts, kernel, oil