Pacayita palm, Tepijilote palm
Chamaedorea oblongata

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It grows 1-3 m tall. The stems are 1-2.5 cm across. There are 3-8 leaves in the crown. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. There are 3-9 cm on each side. They are thick and leathery. They are sword shaped to oblong. The flowering shoots are erect. The fruit are oval and 0.8-1.4 cm long by 06-0.8 cm wide.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in lowland forests and up to 350 m above sea level. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Central America (country/location of origin), Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The inside of the leaf base is eaten raw.

Edible parts

Leaf base

How it is grown

Plants can be eaten raw.

Its other names

Local names

Litampa, Palem pakayita

Synonyms

Chamaedorea biloba H. Wendl.; Chamaedorea fusca Standl. & Steyerm.; and others