Arecaceae FAMILY

Astrocaryum javarense

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Astrocaryum javarense is a spiny, single-stemmed, evergreen palm with a very short stem that in time can reach a height of 2 metres and 15 - 18cm in diameter. The stem is topped by a crown of 8 - 16 very spiny leaves that can be up to 8 metres long including the petiole[ 1874 Title Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment Publication Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531 Author Kahn F. & Millán B. Publisher Year 1992 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeNorthern S. America - northwest Brazil, northern Peru

HabitatRainforests in areas not not subject to inundation, growing on both sandy and clayey soils. It is also found in lower densities on waterlogged soils[ 1874 Title Astrocaryum (Palmae) in Amazonia. A Preliminary Treatment Publication Bull. Inst. Fr. Études Andines 1992, 21 (2): 459-531 Author Kahn F. & Millán B. Publisher Year 1992 ISBN Description ].