American Oil Palm

Elaeis oleifera

Basic Information

Family: Arecaceae

Genus: elaeis

Plant ID (slug): elaeis-oleifera

Numeric ID: 21390

USDA Hardiness: 10-12

Ratings

Physical Characteristics

Elaeis oleifera is an evergreen Tree growing to 4 m (13ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. 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 cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America - northern Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Honduras.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Oil Seed Edible Uses: Oil Oil - two types of oil are obtained from the plant. Palm oil is obtained from the fruit whilst palm kernel oil is obtained from the seed[ 297 ]. Both have a wide range of uses, including making margarine, ice cream and as a cooking oil[ 297 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Haemostatic The oil obtained from the pulp is applied externally in the treatment of rheumatism, to invigorate hair growth, combat dandruff and to repel insects[ 739 ]. Hairs from the leaf axils are said to be haemostatic[ 739 ].