Buriti Palm, Aguaje Palm

Mauritia flexuosa

Physical Characteristics

Mauritia flexuosa is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 10 m (32ft) at a slow 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 can grow in nutritionally poor 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 or wet soil.

Distribution

Northern S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru northwards to the Guyanas and Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud Fruit Leaves Oil Sap Stem Edible Uses: Drink Oil An edible oil is obtained from the fruit[46 , 301 ]. The fleshy fruit is eaten raw[317 ]. Rich in vitamins and oil[317 ]. The fruit is also dried and ground into a flour[317 ]. The fruit is 4 - 6cm long[335 ]. A juice made from the pulp of the fruit is eaten with sugar and cassava meal[301 ]. The pulp is also widely used in the production of juice, jam, liqueurs and other exotic drinks with a high vitamin C content[314 ]. A favourite native beverage is produced from the fruits. They are soaked in water till they begin to ferment, and the scales and pulpy matter soften and can be easily rubbed off in water[314 ]. When strained through a sieve it is ready for use, and has a slight acid taste and a peculiar flavour of the fruit at first rather disagreeable to European palates[314 ]. The fruit is made into a cheese-like paste that is sometimes eaten for remedying bowel problems, or to allay hunger when desperate[348 ]. An edible starch is obtained from the pith of the trunk[46 , 301 ]. Used as a sago[317 , 419 ]. Leaves - cooked[763 ]. The apical bud, often known as a palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[763 ]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make sideshoots[K ]. A sap obtained by tapping the young, unopened inflorescence can be drunk, boiled down to make a sugar or fermented to make palm wine[301 , 317 ]. A sweet alcoholic drink called 'item' is prepared from the sap[348 ]. The terminal bud is eaten as vegetable[317 ]. Eating this bud will effectively kill the tree since it is unable to produce side branches[K ].

Medicinal Uses

Antidiarrhoeal Dysentery Emollient Skin Tonic Vitamin C The oil from the seed is high in vitamin A and is frequently used to treat burns, because of its soothing qualities and its ability to promote the formation of scar tissue[314 ]. A pap prepared from the pith is used to treat dysentery and diarrhoea[348 ]. The fruit is made into a cheese-like paste that is sometimes eaten for remedying bowel problems, or to allay hunger when desperate[348 ]. The leaves are used in baths as an emollient[739 ]. The sap from young stems is considered tonic[739 ].

Known Hazards

None known