Attalea phalerata

Common names

Scheelea Palm, Shapaja (local name).

Curiosities

Leaves are used for roof thatching. In Acre, Brazil, the seed endocarp is used to obtain coal for rubber curing. Oil can be obtained from seeds.

Origin

Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay.

Habitat

Open areas, savannah, and forests at low altitude.

Morphology

This palm is not too tall, around 4 m, and the trunk has a diameter of 25 to 40 cm. It has pinnate leaves with the leaflets inserted in different ranks, resembling a feather. Inflorescence growing among the leaves (interfoliar), long. Fruits around 11 cm.

Climate

Germination

It is advised to make a cut with a saw in the hard seed cover, without damaging the endocarp, so that water can easily enter the seed, speeding up germination.

Growing

Requires a sunny position in the tropics