Tropical Plant "Maraja"
Bactris maraja

Characteristics - Bactris maraja is a fruit bearer, not under cultivation and abundant in nature, native to dry land forests or areas that are temporarily flooded in the Amazon region. It is a cespitose palm, forming dense groves, up to 5 m tall. Caulis, 3-6 cm in diameter, are covered in yellow or black spines, up to 4 cm long. There are 7-10 pinnate leaves per stem, the sheath, petiole and rachis are armed with flat, bronze spines, with 15-23 pinnae on each side, irregularly distributed in groups of 2-4, arranged on various planes. Inflorescences interfoliar and branched. Fruits are purplish-black and have a thin, fibrous-succulent pulp, with a pleasant, sweet flavor.

Uses - The fruit is consumed in its natural state and greatly appreciated in regions where it occurs, also being commercialized in these areas.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.