Tukum palm, Awara palm
Astrocaryum aculeatum

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A single stemmed, spiny palm. It can form clusters. It has a slender grey trunk. It grows to 25 m high and is 20-30 cm across. The crown is almost round. It has feather-like leaves. They are bright green. The leaves are about 5 m long and finely divided. The leaflets are arranged in groups. There are black spines on the trunk, leaf stalks and midrib of the leaves. The fruiting stalks are 2 m long. They have branches. The flowers are cream. The fruit occur in clusters. They are oval and 4-5 cm across. They are yellowish-orange when ripe. They are edible.

There are about 40-50 Astrocaryum species. The fruit are very rich in Vitamin A. The kernels contain 23% fat.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It usually grows in deforested areas. It grows in dry forests in the Amazon in Brazil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Asia, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil (country/location of origin), Central America, Columbia, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Indonesia, Peru, SE Asia, South America, South America, Suriname, Tobago, Trinidad, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The flesh of the fruit is eaten fresh. The leaves are burnt to make vegetable salt. The soft spongy layer of germinated seeds is eaten.

The fruit are sold in markets. They are popular.

Edible parts

Fruit, palm hearts, leaves - salt, vegetable, seeds

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are often difficult to germinate. Soaking or cracking the seed helps germination.

Its other names

Local names

Acquero, Akhoyoro, Akorlorlo arau, Akuyuru, Amana, Arapipi, Chambira, Chonta, Cumare, Hericungo, Huana, Jabarana, Kiajuaya, Kumay, Kuru, Murumuru, Palem tukuma, Palma coco, Panima, Star nut palm, Tackoeman, Toekoemaw, Tucuma, Tuinfa, Uyenkague, Waran

Synonyms

Astrocaryum aureum Griseb. & H. Wendl.; Astrocaryum caudescens Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum macrocarpum Huber; Astrocaryum manoense Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum manoense Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum princeps Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum princeps var. aurantiacum Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum princeps var. flavum Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum princeps var. sulphureum Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum princeps var. vitellinum Barb. Rodr.; Astrocaryum tucuma Mart.;