Astrocaryum paramaca

Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm) paramaca (pah-rah-MAHK-ah)
Scientific Classification
Genus: Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm) Species: paramaca (pah-rah-MAHK-ah)
Synonyms
Astrocaryum acanthopodium
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Paramaca palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Astrocaryum paramaca is found in Northern Brazil, French Guiana, and Suriname.

Transect near the jump at Maripa, Guyane, (French Guiana).

Description

Acaulescent palms with large leaves; inflorescence erect; fruit with a crown of black bristles in the distal third. (scielo.org.pe)

This is a monoecious palm, (has both sexes on one plant). A heavily armed petiole, the thorns in the lower parts are winged. The inflorescence, which is surrounded by a hairy brown sheath, with needle-like thorns, has the male flowers at the upper - and the female flowers at the lower side. The fruits are brown, oblong - ellipsoid; the mesocarp is bright yellow while the endocarp is black. The dry outside of the fruit burst open like a star, exposing the black stone-like seed. A palm of the undergrowth, acaulescent, (appearing stemless), the stem is actually underground, and most of it shaped like a saxophone, this is a tillering palm, (it has a heel). These palms collect falling canopy litter, and it concentrates at the base of the plant. Editing by edric.

Culture

Hardiness, USDA zone 10A - 11. Partial shade, sandy loam soil; needs high humidity, plant in frost free locations.

Comments and Curiosities

This is a tillering palm, it exhibits saxophone style root growth (it has a heel), keep top third of heel above soil elevation!