Euterpe edulis
Mart.
Assai palm, Jucara palm, Para palm
(c) Rodrigo Paiva Lázaro, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Rodrigo Paiva Lázaro
(c) Damon Tighe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Damon Tighe
(c) Nelson Wisnik, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Nelson Wisnik
What to Eat
Edible parts: Seeds, Fruit, Cabbage, Palm heart
The unexpanded leaves and crown bud are eaten raw or cooked — crunchy with a sweet flavour, they are considered a tropical delicacy and are sometimes called 'Millionaires salad' on account of their price. Harvesting them kills the plant, as it cannot produce side-shoots. The fruit, about 12mm in diameter, has a thin, fleshy, fibrous pulp and is made into a high-calorie juice or used in ice cream. The seeds can be crushed in water to produce a drink called Assai.
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It suits the hot, wet tropical lowlands. It can grow under dark conditions. They suit subtropical and temperate locations. They like a rich, well-drained soil. It grows from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Asia, Australia, Argentina, Brazil*, Ecuador, Guyana, India, Malaysia, Paraguay, SE Asia, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka,
How to Identify
A tall palm. It grows to 10 m high. The trunk is slender. It is 12 cm across. The trunks are light grey or brown and has prominent rings of leaf base scars. These are darker and widely spaced. The crown-shaft is prominent. It is 1 m long. The leaves are dark green and have leaflets along the stalk. They are fine and feathery. They are crowded and drooping. The fruit are small, round and black to brown. They are 1-1.4 cm across. They droop in clusters below the crown-shaft.
Nutrition Score: 52/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 68.6 | 476 | 116 | 2.1 | — | 2.1 | 1.1 | 1 |
| Fruit | 90.2 | — | — | — | — | 186 | — | — |
How to Grow
A plant of moist tropical and subtropical climates, where it is found at elevations from sea level to around 1,200 metres. It grows in areas where the temperatures never fall below 10c, the average annual rainfall is 1,500mm or more and the driest month has 25mm or more rain. Grows best in a warm, sheltered, and moist site that is well drained. It likes filtered sunlight when young, but can take full sun as it matures. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 5, tolerating 4.1 - 5.6. A fast-growing plant. Utilizing the plant for its edible apical bud always leads to its eventual death since the palm is unable to form side branches and thus is unable to grow any more. This has led to plant populations coming under pressure in some areas. Spacing: 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m); 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m); 10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m). They are grown commercially for palm hearts in Brazil.
Propagation: Seed viability is short — less than three months — so sow as soon as ripe in a partially shaded nursery seedbed. Pre-soak in cold water for 24 hours before sowing. Germination rates of around 80% or more can be expected, with sprouting occurring within 30–70 days. The seed germinates rapidly and grows quickly.
Medicinal Uses
The juice squeezed from the young stem is applied to wounds to stop bleeding.
Other Uses
The fruit has potential for producing alcohol as a petrol substitute. The wood is lightweight, hard, and long-lasting in dry conditions. Though of low overall quality, it is used locally in rural construction for rafters, beams, water troughs, and posts, and as a source of cellulose.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Euterpe edulis, commonly known as juçara, jussara (an archaic alternative spelling), açaí-do-sul or palmiteiro, is a palm species in the genus Euterpe. It is now predominantly used for hearts of palm. It is closely related to the açaí palm (Euterpe oleracea), a species cultivated for its fruit and superior hearts of palm. The larvae of Caligo brasiliensis are reported to feed on E. edulis. Although it was formerly widely harvested in Brazil for hearts of palm, it is now uncommon in the wild and no longer harvested commercially due to past overharvesting. This could cause it to fall extinct.
Production
Plants grow slowly. A tree produces about 1,200-2,500 seeds each year.
Other Information
They are grown commercially for palm hearts in Brazil.
Notes
There are between 7 and 18 Euterpe species. It has antioxidant properties.
Names & Synonyms
Acai-do-sul, Acaf, Coco-de-jissara, Coco-de-palmito, Coco-de-ripa, Coco-de-usara, Ensarova, Icara, Imi pu'e, Jacara, Jicara, Jocara, Jucura, Jucara-branca, Jucara-vermelho, Jucoara, Jussara palm, Palmeteiro-doce, Palmiteiro, Palmito-doce, Ripa, Ripeira, Ucara palm, Yayih
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