Bactris gasipaes (Pejibaye, Peach palm)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Monocotyledons > Order: Arecales > Family: Arecaceae

Native to the Amazonian region in South America and cultivated mainly to harvest the growing stem tips (apical meristems), which are sold as 'heart of palm' or 'palm hearts'. These are eaten as a vegetable delicacy, either raw or cooked. You can buy them canned. The fruit are also harvested and are a source of flour and vegetable oil.

Publications

• van Wyk, B.-E. 2005. Food Plants of the World - Identification, Culinary Uses and Nutritional Value. Briza, Pretoria.