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bactris palm
Scientific Name: Bactris
Family: Arecaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Peach Palm (Bactris gasipaes)
The Peach Palm, scientifically known as Bactris gasipaes, is a species of palm native to the tropical forests of South and Central America. It has a long history of cultivation in these regions, dating back to pre-Columbian America.
Considerations for Pets
- Bactris is a genus of spiny palms. While some cultivars are spineless, others have spines on the trunk and other parts of the plant.
Considerations for Children
- Bactris is a genus of spiny palms. While some cultivars are spineless, others have spines on the trunk and other parts of the plant.
- The plant produces a fruit containing a single seed.
Nomenclature and Taxonomy
- Scientific Name: Bactris gasipaes Kunth
- Family: Arecaceae/Palmae
- Synonym: Guilielma gasipaes (in some classifications)
Common Names
- English: Peach Palm
- Spanish: pejibaye, pejivalle, piva, cachipay, bobi, cachipaes, chontaduro
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the tropical forests of South and Central America.
- Found in Bolivia, northern Brazil, Colombia, and Ecuador.
- Wild and domesticated populations are found in the Pacific lowlands.
Morphology and Growth Habits
- Most Bactris species are small trees, reaching about 2 meters (6 ft).
- Bactris gasipaes can be single-stemmed or multi-stemmed (clustering).
- Trunks are formed by long-sustained primary growth.
Uses
- Widely cultivated for its edible fruit, which is considered a drupe containing a single seed.
- The fruit is often boiled or processed into various foods and drinks.
- Also cultivated for heart of palm production.
- Important component of agroforestry systems.
Quirky Facts
- Bactris gasipaes was the most important palm of pre-Columbian America and a main crop of Amerindians.
Further Information
- Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research
- ARKive (for Palm photos and facts)
- Biodiversity Heritage Library