Lepidocaryum tenue

Lepidocaryum (leh-pih-doh-kahr-EE-uhm) tenue (teh-NOO-eh)
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Lepidocaryum (leh-pih-doh-kahr-EE-uhm) Species: tenue (teh-NOO-eh)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
America
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
irapay, pui

Habitat and Distribution

Southern America: Brazil; Brazil North, Brazil West-Central, Northern South America; Guyana, Venezuela, Western South America Colombia, and Peru. [[]]

Comments and Curiosities

Uses: Although most Indians in the Rio Negro basin consider the leaves of the diminutive palm Lepidocaryum tenue the best thatch for their malocas, they often employ other materials of shorter durability, (…). The reason for their occasional reluctance to gather Lepidocaryum tenue lies in the elaborate rituals by the witch doctor which are necessary before the young men go into the gloomy parts of the jungle to disturb the palm. (forest spirit). The main resource for thatching material was the leaves from the small, understory, terra firme forest palm Lepidocaryum tenue var. gracile ( Table 3). This palm has more dureble leaves (5-10 years) than the most common alternatively used palm Pholidostachys synanthera (2-4 years), which is also an understory terra firme species. Medicinal and cosmetic - The roots are used against headache, throat, and malaria; the fruits are used to treat dry skin and fever. Construction - The leaves are widely used in the roof of the houses. Tools and utensils - The seeds are used for necklaces. Food - Occasionally ripe fruits are consumed. For Sale - The small leaves are sold, or used for the manufacture of "crisnejas" (sections of thatching) for direct sales companies.