Euterpe edulis

Common names

Jucara Palm, Heart-of-Palm.

Curiosities

Edulis means edible (as in Brahea edulis and in mushrooms like Boletus edulis), and refers to the edible fruit.

Origin

Brazil.

Habitat

Marshy areas and rainforest.

Morphology

Leaves around 3 m long, with 10-80 leaflets on each side of  the rachis. Crown around 1.5 m, olive green in colour. Inflorescences growing under the crown, and simple. Fruits dark purple.

Climate

Tropical to subtropical.

Germination

Germination can be improved by maintaining the seeds in water at 30 ºC for 72 hours.

Growing

Requires a rich soil, and a sheltered position as a youngster.