Arecaceae FAMILY

Astrocaryum chonta

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Astrocaryum chonta is an evergreen, single-stemmed palm with a stem up to 10 metres tall and 18-27cm in diameter. It produces a crown of usually 8 - 12 spiny leaves that can be up to 12 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. The fruit is occasionally sold in local markets[ 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 ]. This presumably refers to the unripe fruits being sold for use as a drink[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - Bolivia, Peru

HabitatForming dense populations in forests on periodically flooded alluvial 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 ].