Tropical Plant "Forest assai"
Euterpe precatoria

Characteristics – The forest assai palm is not under cultivation. It is native to the states of Acre, Amazonas, Para and Rondonia, in damp forests, near rivers and in areas that are periodically flooded. It is a solitary palm, 4-20 m tall. Thecaulis is 5-23 cm in diameter with visible roots at the base and a smooth, green crownshaft at the top. Leaves pinnate, 10-20 concurrently, leaflets uniformly distributed and arranged on the same plane. Inflorescences infrafoliar (below the crownshaft) with 70-200 rachies. Fruits have a thin, fibro-carnose mesocarp.

Uses - Fruits are consumed in their natural state; a high calorie juice, called ‘assai wine’ is made from the mesocarp (pulp). It is consumed daily in the Amazon region and this has become a popular habit all over the country.

Propagation – Propagated by seeds.