Astrocaryum vulgare

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Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm)
vulgare (vohl-GAH-reh)
20110827211133-545f29afz.jpg
Between the savannah, and Sinnamary Iracoubo, French Guiana, Photo-Flore de Guyane.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm)
Species:
vulgare (vohl-GAH-reh)
Synonyms
Astrocaryum guianense, Astrocaryum segregatum, Astrocaryum tucumoides.
Native Continent
America
America.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Chambira palm, Tucum or Tucumã-do-Pará in Brazil, Aouara in French Guiana, Wara awara in Guyana, awarra in Suriname, Chontilla in Ecuador.

Habitat and Distribution

Astrocaryum vulgare is found in Nothern Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana,
Between the savannah, and Sinnamary Iracoubo, French Guiana, Photo-Flore de Guyane.
and Suriname, common in the savannas and lowlands.

Description

A medium sized Caespitose palm growing to 12-50 feet. The trunk and stem parts, have large black spines, that can grow to several inches long. pistillate flower with calyx urn-shaped, corolla as long as the calyx; ripe fruit orange to reddish, up to 4 cm long and 3 cm broad. Oval, 2" yellow-orange edible fruits. The fruits have a mildly sweet flavor, and are high in vitamin A. They contain a single large seed. Editing by edric.

Culture

Hardiness, USDA zones 10A-11. Thrives in moist, tropical environments.Full sun; sandy loam to dry soil. Protect from frost. Its unclear whether this species is suitable in subtropical areas. Seeds can take more than a year to germinate.

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: Witoto medicine men believe that the heavy spines on the trunk of chambira palm, Astrocaryum vulgare, are the favorite and most potent darts shot into the human body by malevolent spirits to cause sickness and misfortune.

Palm of the savannah, with edible fruit. Used for making the "broth awara" famous Guyanese soup. The fruits from the tucumá, are sold fresh in food markets in Leticia, on the Amazon River. Witoto medicine men believe, that the heavy spines on the trunk of Chambira palm, Astrocaryum vulgare, are the favorite and most potent darts shot into the human body by malevolent spirits to cause sickness and misfortune. Spiny, solitary feather palm, to 10-17 m. Some rare individuals are spineless. These palms are usually found in groupins, rarely alone. USE: The fruit pulp is used to prepare juice, and the kernel shell it contains an excellent oil similar that of to coconut and oil palm. The bud gives palmito.



External Links

References

All information translated from the French, edric.

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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