Inaja, Maripa Palm

Attalea maripa

Physical Characteristics

Attalea maripa is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed Edible Uses: Condiment Drink Milk Oil Edible portion: Fruit, Kernel, Drink, Palm heart, Cabbage, Oil, Nut. Fruit - raw[ 416 ]. A succulent, aromatic, almost fibreless pulp with a sweet, pleasant flavour[ 416 ]. It is used to make a drink[ 317 ]. The fruit is up to 5cm long[ 416 ]. The mesocarp provides a 'milk' for drinking[ 200 ]. Seed - the endosperm is toasted[ 317 ]. An oil extracted from the seed is used for cooking[ 317 ]. The outer husk of the fruit makes a kind of salty flour used to flavour food. The apical bud is eaten as a vegetable[ 317 ]. Eating this bud will effectively kill the tree since it is unable to produce side shoots[ 317 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic An oil obtained from the seeds is rubbed onto rheumatic areas of the body in order to bring relief[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

None known