Tropical Plant "Fiber palm"
Astrocaryum vulgare

Characteristics – The fiber palm is not a cultivated fruit tree. It is abundant in nature. Native to dry land forests in Para, Maranhao and Tocantins, mainly in sandy soils and disturbed areas. It is a cespitose palm, 4-10 m tall with black spines 4-22 cm long on the internodes. Leaves are pinnate, 8-16 per stem, with 70-120 pinnae on each side, irregularly distributed in groups of 2-6; the sheath, petiole and rachis are covered in spines. Interfoliar inflorescences have a peduncular bract 1.0-1.3 m long. Fruits are ellipsoid and have fibro-fleshy mesocarp (pulp), slightly sweet and rich in Vitamins A, containing a single hard seed.

Uses – The fruits are consumed ‘au naturel’ and very much appreciated locally.

Propagation – propagated by seeds.