Arecaceae FAMILY Near Threatened

Phytelephas aequatorialis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Phytelephas aequatorialis is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm growing 3 - 15 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 25 - 30cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of 15 - 25 leaves[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials. The seed of this species is the source of all vegetable ivory exported from Ecuador, being used to make buttons, craftwork etc. The plant is commonly cultivated, or allowed to persist in pasture, as a source of the vegetable ivory[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The principal threat to the plant is the overexploitation of its fruit; the infrutescence is harvested entire when ripe, leaving the tree sterile. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - western Ecuador.

HabitatAn understorey palm of the rain forest, growing on wet lowlands, often near rivers, on the coastal plain; ascending to 1,500 metres[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. ]. It is often left in pastures when the forest is cleared[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. ].