Tropical Plant "Buriti"
Mauritia flexuosa

Characteristics -The buriti palm is not a cultivated fruit bearer; it is frequent in its natural habitat in all the Amazon region, central Brazil, Maranhao, Piaui, Ceara, Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo, in the damp gallery forests by rivers and areas that are periodically inundated. A solitary palm, dimorphic, 4-25 m tall, the caulis is 23-80 cm in diameter, with visible roots at the base. It has no palm heart. Leaves-10-20 concurrently, flabellate, costapalmate. Inflorescences have 20-46 rachises. Fruits have a hard exocarp. The mesocarp (pulp) is thin and fleshy, rich in Vitamin A.

Uses - The fruits are consumed in their natural state, or as sweets, they are also used to make 'buriti wine'. To prepare this, the fruit is first softened in water, to separate the pulp, which is then whipped with water.

Propagation - Propagated by seeds.