Jucara Palm, Assai Palm

Euterpe edulis

Physical Characteristics

Euterpe edulis is an evergreen Tree growing to 30 m (98ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium 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 and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud Fruit Leaves Oil Seed Shoots Edible Uses: Drink Oil Leaves - raw or cooked[ 297 ]. Crunchy, with a sweet flavour[ 297 ]. A tropical delicacy, they can also be eaten raw in salads[ 301 ]. A highly prized dish, often called 'Millionaires salad' due to its price[ 314 ]. The unexpanded leaves and bud from the crown of the plant are used[ 297 ]. Harvesting these leaves kills the plant because it is unable to make side-shoots[ 297 , 768 ]. Fruit - made into a juice[ 416 ]. The fruit has a thin, fleshy, fibrous pulp[ 416 ]. It is made into a high calorie juice[ 416 ]. The fruit is used for making a nutritious beverage or ice-cream[ 317 ]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[ 416 ]. The seeds are crushed in water to produce a drink called Assai.

Medicinal Uses

The juice squeezed from the young stem is applied to wounds to stop bleeding[ 739 ].

Known Hazards

None known