Astrocaryum malybo

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Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm) malybo (mah-LEE-bo)
Ampalma.jpg
Scientific Classification
Genus: Astrocaryum (ahs-tro-kahr-EE-uhm)
Species: malybo (mah-LEE-bo)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
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Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Estera Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Colombia. Lowland rainforest, usually at elevations below 300 metres.
Kebun Raya Bogor, Java, Indonesia. Photo by Dr. William J. Baker, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Palmweb.

Description

Astrocaryum malybo is an evergreen, solitary-stemmed palm tree growing up to 5 metres tall. The short, unbranched stem is mainly subterranean, topped by a crown of 10 - 20 leaves that can each be up to 5 metres long. Pinnae arranged in one plane; distal pistillate flower contiguous with the staminate part of the rachilla. Editing by edric.

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: The young leaves of the estera (Astrocaryum malybo), bleached in the sun and fancifully colored with vegetable or other dyes are woven with fibers of bromeliads into a sort of sleeping-mats called estera which are much in demand in the rural districts of northern Colombia. The leaves are harvested from the wild for local use in basketry, craftwork etc. This is an important local industry in Colombia. Populations of this species have been severely reduced, both because of destruction of its habitat and also over exploitation of its leaves. The leaflets are dried to make brooms. The liquid endosperm is used medicinally.



External Links

References

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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