Palmo real
Euterpe precatoria var. longevaginata

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A tall palm. The trunk is smooth and has annual rings from old leaves. It grows 25 m tall and the trunk is 50 cm across. The base is thickened. The leaf sheaths are 1.5 m long and form a crown shaft. The leaf stalk is brown and scaly and 50 cm long. The leaves are 2.7 m long and drooping. There are 60-75 drooping leaflets on each side. The central ones are 1 m long and 4.5 cm wide.

There are between 7 and 18 Euterpe species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in deciduous forest. It is often on limestone and grows up to 1,000 m above sea level in Guatemala.

Countries/locations it is found in

Belize, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, South America

How it is used for food

The tender palm hearts are eaten fresh.

Edible parts

Cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cana lucia, Halaute, Hicara, Jal-au-te, Manaca, Maqunangue, Palmbil, Palmicho, Palmita, Palmito, Rabiahorcado, Ternera

Synonyms

Euterpe kalbreyeri Burret; Euterpe karsteniana Engel; Euterpe leucospadix H. Wendl. ex Hemsl.; Euterpe longevaginata Mart.; Euterpe macrospadix Oerst.; Euterpe micorcarpa Burret; Euterpe panamensis Burret; Rooseveltia frankliniana O.F.Cook;