Matamba, Bora negra
Desmoncus cirrhiferus
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A spiny palm. It has a cluster of stems. These are 5 m tall and 1-2 cm across. They are green. The leaf sheaths are hairy and also have short spines which curve backwards. The leaf axis is 1.7 m long. There are 5-11 leaflets on each side. They are oval and 20 cm long. The tips end on long slender coiled tails 11 cm long. The flowering stalks have 15-19 short flowering branches. The fruit are oval and 1.5-2 cm long by 1-1.5 cm across. They are red. The fruit are edible.
There are 7 Desmoncus species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in coastlands and up to 800 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Andes, Central America, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, South America
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Biita chuwa, Bi-to-choa, Chilande, Chiyant, Matampa, Pillande, Tejanteka, Vara negra