Acrocomia media
O. F. Cook
Puerto Rico acrocomia
(c) Manuel Medina Amaya, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Patricia Romero Salas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Patricia Romero Salas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Seed, Oil, Fruit, Leaves, Palm heart, Starch
The seeds are eaten raw or cooked, and an edible oil is extracted from them. Starch is obtained from the pith of the trunk. The fruit, leaves, and palm heart are also edible.
Where to Find It
It is a tropical plant.
Puerto Rico, USA, West Indies,
How to Identify
A shrub or small tree. It grows 5 m tall. There are prickles along the stem. The leaves are twice divided and there are 8-18 pairs of pinnae. There are up to 50 pairs of pinnules on each pinnae. The flowers are yellow. They are in large clusters at the ends of branches. The pods are flattened.
How to Grow
The plant can flower and produce fruit nearly all year round.
Medicinal Uses
This species is closely related to Acrosmia aculeata, and is seen as no more than a synonym for that species by some authorities. It is extremely likely, therefore, that this plant has the same uses as Acrosmia aculeata. These uses are detailed below:- The roots are used medicinally.
Other Uses
Most of the stem is soft and pithy, but the outside portion is very hard and durable, with attractive black markings. It has been used for flooring, and can also be cut into walking sticks. This species is closely related to Acrosmia aculeata, and is seen as no more than a synonym for that species by some authorities. It is extremely likely, therefore, that this plant has the same uses as Acrosmia aculeata. These uses are detailed below:- A useful twine can be obtained from the leaves by tearing strips of the desired width from the leaflets. A good quality fibre is obtained from the leaves. Very strong, it is used to make ropes and cordage. A high quality oil can be obtained from the seed kernel. It can be used for making soap. Another oil can be obtained from the pulp of the fruit. It is used for making soap. The very hard endocarp that encloses the seed can be cut into rings or carved and pierced for use as rosary beads. It is also used for making jewellery and buttons.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Acrocomia media is a species of palm which is native to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Names & Synonyms
Corozo
References (2)
- Ferns, Useful Tropical Plants
- Little, E. L. & Wadsworth, F. H., 1964, Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 249
