Pataua palm, Bataua
Oenocarpus bataua

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm with a straight trunk. It grows to 20 m high. The trunk can be 15-25 cm across. It has a large crown. The fronds are long and glossy. They can be 10 m long. The leaflets droop. The leaflets are green above and silvery underneath. The new leaves are red. The flowering stalk has drooping side stalks which look like a horse's tail. There are several flowers at the one time. The flowers are creamy white and fragrant. The fruit are heavy and purple-black. They are 2.5-3.5 cm long by 2-2.5 cm across. There can be 500-4000 fruit is a cluster.

There are 9 Oenocarpus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows best in the tropics but will grow in the warm subtropics. It is often in swampy or flooded areas. It grows up to 1,150 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, South America, Suriname, Trinidad, Venezuela, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to extract an edible oil. The fruit are also used for drinks. This is made by boiling the fruit to give a milky drink. This tastes like chocolate.

It is the most common palm in the Amazon. Fruit are sold in local markets. The palm heart is enjoyed.

Edible parts

Fruit, cabbage, palm heart, seeds - oil, flower

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

It is fast growing. A fruit cluster can weigh 2-32 kg. Adult palms can produce 2 fruit clusters per year.

Its other names

Local names

Aricagua, Batawa, Bosa ni, Chapil, Cola boca, Cosa, Dudiba, Gindoru, Gosa ni, Huicosa, Hunguraui, Isa, Itsama, Jagua, Koanarima si, Komboe, Kulaapu'chi, Kunkuk', Majo, Mille pesos, Milpesos, Osa ni, Palma de leche, Palma patavona, Pataua, Patawa, Patoa, Petoba, Seje ungurahuay, Seje, Shinpi muyu, Shiwa muyu, Trupa, Turu, Ungurabi, Ungurahui, Ungurai, Yagua

Synonyms

Jessenia bataua (Mart.) Burret; Jessenia bataua subsp. bataua; Jessenia polycarpa H. Karst.; Jessenia repanda Engel.; Jessenia weberbaueri Burret; Oenocarpus bataua subsp. bataua Balick; Oenocarpus batana C. Martius; Oenocarpus seje Cuervo Marquez [Invalid];