Acai, Assai Palm, Acai Palm

Euterpe oleracea

Physical Characteristics

Euterpe oleracea is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a fast 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 - Tropical Brazil extending north to Guyana, Venezuela and Trinidad.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud Fruit Leaves Oil Seed Edible Uses: Drink Oil Tea Fruit - raw or cooked. A thin, fibrous, fleshy pulp with little flavour[ 416 ]. A very nutritious fruit, rich in antioxidants, it is often used to make a drink that is very popular in the Amazon region of Brazil[ 46 , 297 ]. The juice is extracted from the small round fruit by soaking the seeds in water to soften the thin outer shell and then squeezing and straining them to produce a very tasty, dense purple liquid[ 314 ]. This liquid is served ice cold with (or sometimes without) sugar and tapioca flour. It is a nourishing and refreshing drink that is also used to produce ice cream, liquor, mousses and sweets in general[ 314 ]. The juice is also added to various foods such as tapioca, cassava and porridge[ 301 ]. The purplish-black fruit is about 15 - 25mm in diameter, and is borne in huge clusters of up to 1,000 fruits[ 297 , 377 ]. Leaves - cooked[ 297 ]. Crunchy, with a sweet flavour[ 297 ]. Said to resemble artichokes (Cynara scolymus)[ 46 , 301 ]. The unexpanded leaves and bud from the crown of the plant are used[ 297 ]. Harvesting these leaves eventually kills the stem of the plant because it is unable to produce side shoots[ 297 ], although the plant can produce new stems from its base[ 314 ]. An edible oil is obtained from the seed[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Contraceptive Febrifuge Stings Styptic A cold water infusion of the wood in the stem is used as an external wash for a contraceptive[ 348 ]. The sap is styptic. It is used to treat haemorrhages, scorpion bites, and is used in the treatment of wounds and cuts[ 348 ]. A decoction of the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers[ 348 ]. An infusion of whole seedlings is used to treat shot wounds from hunting[ 348 ]. The central bud, or heart, is roasted and applied topically to soothe the pain of scorpion stings;[ 348 ]. The juice from the roasted bud should be drunk at the same time[ 348 ]. Overeating of the heart or pith causes diarrhoea[ 348 ]. The heart is dried, pulverised and then used in a plaster to cicatrize open cuts[ 348 ]. The liquid extracted from the warm heart is patted on an open wound[ 348 ]. The oil from the fruit is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[ 739 ]. A tea made from the roots is used to treat jaundice and to strengthen the blood[ 739 ]. A tea made from the seeds is used to treat fevers[ 739 ]. The fruit is used in a savoury, violet-coloured beverage that is drunk as a refreshant[ 348 ]. Phenols occur in the heart of palm[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

None known