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Euterpe oleracea (acai, palmito da Amazonia, assai palm)

Climate

The climate preferences of the plant are tropical rainforest sites subject to flooding. It thrives in areas with a high altitude.

Common Name

Acai

Description

Euterpe oleracea, commonly known as acai or assai palm, is a tropical rainforest plant found in South America. It is valued for its edible heart, which is harvested as a vegetable crop. The plant also produces edible fruits used for beverages and serves as a forage for animals. It has limited cultivation but is highly attractive as an ornamental plant and is known for its suckering feather palm growth habit.

Genus
Grouping
Other utility
Latin Name

Euterpe oleracea

Origin

Brazil

Other Relevant Information

Other Information: - The Acai palm, scientifically known as Euterpe oleracea, is native to South America, specifically the tropical rainforest sites that are prone to flooding. - Apart from its edible heart, which weighs around 1 kg per tree, the Acai palm is also known for its fruit, which is used to make beverages, particularly the popular "assai" drink. - In addition to its culinary uses, the Acai palm also serves as forage for animals. - While limited cultivation of the Acai palm exists, its heart is often exported, and the fruit is predominantly a local product. - Besides its practical uses, the Acai palm is appreciated for its ornamental value, with its attractive appearance and suckering feather palm growth habit. - The Acai palm is considered an unimproved plant, meaning it has not undergone significant breeding or genetic modification.

Related Genus
Soil Preferences

Tropical rainforest sites subject to flooding.

Specific species
Uses
Suitability to cool temperate climate

S. America: tropical rainforest sites subject to flooding. Edible heart (1 kg/tree); heart - of -palm vegetable crop often taken from thinnings; edible fruit used for beverages (assai), and forage for animals. Limited cultivation, heart exported; fruit local product; attractive ornamen-tal; suckering feather palm. Unimproved.