Yebao, Paloeloe
Phenakospermum guyannense

Family: Strelitziaceae

What it is like

A large herb. The trunk is not woody and is 5-12 m tall. It is unbranched. The leaves are simple. The flowering arrangement is on the end of the trunk. It is 80-120 cm long. The flowers along each side of the stalk have 40 cm long bracts that are greenish-yellow but turn brown. These become woody. The fruit is a woody capsule. It is 11-13 cm long by 5-7 cm across. There are many small seeds in each fruit. They are 1 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are black and shiny. The seeds are edible. They have a bright orange or red layer around the seeds. The plant dies after fruit are set.

Also put in the family Musaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows on coastal plains and along rivers and in marshy areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Peru, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used for food

The red aril of layer around the seeds is eaten.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Big palulu, Red traveler's palm, Turriago

Synonyms

Musidendron amazonicum (Mart.) Nakai; Phenakospermum amazonicum (Mart.) Miq.; Ravenala guyannensis (A. Rich.) Steud.; Urania amazonica Mart.; Urania guyannensis A. Rich.;