Maripa palm
Attalea maripa

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. The stems are tall. They are 3.5-20 m tall. The trunks are 20-33 cm across. They can be 100 cm across. The fronds are 10 m long. There are 10-22 leaves. They are borne in 5 distinct vertical rows. They are on long leaf stalks. The leaflets are irregularly placed in tight clusters. They spread in different planes. The flowers are on long stalks borne among the leaves. The fruit have 2-3 seeds. They are oblong and 4-6 cm long by 2.5-3 cm wide. They are brownish-yellow. The pulp is sweet and juicy.

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 and secondary forest. It grows on non flooded soils. It grows at low elevations.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, South America, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to produce a drink. The terminal leaf-bud is eaten. The fruit are eaten. The outer husk of the fruit makes a kind of salty flour used to flavour food.

The fruit are enjoyed throughout the Amazon. They are sold in local and national markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, drink, palm heart, cabbage, oil, nuts

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Abak, Anaja, Bojo, Cucurite Palm, Cucurito, Curete, Cusi, Doi arau, Edi ni, Guichire, Huacava, Inaja, Inayuga, Incham, Koheri Palm, Kokerite, Kokoriti, Kukarit, Maripa, Maripya, Motacusillo, Shapaja, Shapajilla, Taparo, Xebi choqui

Synonyms

Attalea cryptanthera Wess. Boer; Attalea macropetala (Burret) Wess. Boer; Attalea maripa (Correa) Mart.; Attalea regia (Mart.)Wess. Boer.; Attalea venatorum (Poeppig ex C.Martius) C.Martius; Cocos venatorum Poeppig ex C. Martius; Englerophoenix caribaea (Griseb. & H. Wendl. ex Griseb.) Kuntze; Englerophoenix longirostrata (Barb.Rodr.) Barb.Rodr.; Englerophoenix maripa (Correa) Kuntze; Englerophoenix regia (Mart.) Kuntze; Englerophoenix tetrasticha (Drude) Barb. Rodr.; Maximiliana caribaea Griseb. & H. Wendl. ex Griseb.; Maximiliana elegans H. Karst.; Maximiliana longirostrata Barb. Rodr.; Maximiliana macrogyne Burret; Maximiliana macropetala (Burret) Wess. Boer.; Maximiliana maripa (Aubl.) Drude; Maximiliana maripa (Correa) Drude; Maximiliana martiana H. Karst.; Maximiliana regia Mart.; Maximiliana stenocarpa Burret; Maximiliana tetrastichia Drude; Maximiliana venatorum (Poepp. ex C.Martius) H.A. Wendland ex Kerch; Palma maripa Aubl.; Palma maripa Correa; Scheelea tetrasticha (Drude) Burret;