Pacaya Palm, Palmito dulce

Chamaedorea tepejilote

Physical Characteristics

Chamaedorea tepejilote is an evergreen Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The plant is not self-fertile. 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. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Northwestern S. America - Colombia; C. America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Edible Uses: Edible portion: Cabbage, Palm heart, Male flower, Bracts. The immature, male inflorescence is eaten raw or cooked[ 301 , 314 , 423 ]. The male flower is eaten while immature in salads. It is also boiled or fried in egg batter. It is harvested before the inflorescence opens, at which stage it looks like an ear of corn[ 423 ]. Added to salads ( traditionally eaten in Guatemala on the Day of the Dead) or cooked as a vegetable (called "rellenos de pacaya," and is often served with tomato sauce, like chiles rellenos.) [ 297 , 301 ]. A bitter flavour, it is sometimes cooked in several changes of water[ 301 ]. Leaves - cooked[ 763 ]. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[ 763 ]. Eating this bud leades to the death of the tree because it is unable to make any side shoots[ K ].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

The juice of the fruit of most members of this genus is said to be an irritant to the skin[ 297 ].