Pindoba, Catole
Attalea humilis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. The stems are short and underground or less than 1 m high. There are 4-15 leaves which are spreading. The leaflets are arranged regularly and in one plane. The flowering stalk is amongst the leaves and short stalks. The male flowers have flattened petals and 6 straight stamens. The fruit have 1-3 seeds. They are oval and 4-9 cm long by 2.5-8 cm wide. They are brownish.

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 low forest near the sea on the Atlantic coast of Brazil often forming large colonies.

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil (country/location of origin), South America

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds - oil

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Coco-pindoba

Synonyms

Attalea borgesiana Bondar ex Dahlgren; Attalea borgesiana of A.D. Hawkes; Attalea compta var. acaulis Mart.;