Purple yatay palm, Butia-jatai, Butia-roxo
Butia purpurascens
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A solitary palm. It grows 1-4 m tall. The trunk is ringed by persistent leaf bases. The crown-shaft is indistinct. There are about 10-25 leaves that arch over. There are 52-58 leaflets on each side. The flowering stalk comes from within the leaves. The fruit are purple or yellow. The flesh is juicy. It has an acid flavour.
There are about 9 Butea species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in deciduous forest and savannas in Brazil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Brazil, South America
How it is used for food
The fruit are used for juice.
Edible parts
Fruit, seed
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed.
Its other names
Local names
Cabecudo