Stems are usually solitary (occasionally clustered), 3–20 metres tall and 4–23 centimetres in diameter.[4] It is also estimated to be the most common tree in the Amazonian region, though it accounts for just over 1% of all trees there (5 billion out of 390 billion).[5]
Uses
E. precatoria is a non-timber forest product that produces acai berries.[6] As well as the edible fruits, this palm is a source of prized (though not very nutritious) hearts of palm. Since it is a single-stemmed palm, harvesting palm hearts kills the tree, and has led to a reduction in numbers. During the 1990s, the palm was heavily harvested for palmito in Peru and Bolivia, but production dropped in the early 2000s due to overharvesting. Today, prices in Peru are currently high since it is now uncommon in the wild.[7]
Varieties
Two varieties are recognised: E. precatoria var. precatoria[8] which has tall, solitary stems and is found in Trinidad and throughout most of the South American portion of the range,[4] and E. precatoria var. longivaginata (Mart.) A.J.Hend.[9] which has shorter, solitary or clustered stems, and is found in Colombia and Central America.[4]
Etymology
Common names include mountain cabbage in Belize, açai, açaizeiro, açaí-do-amazonas or açaí-solitário in Brazil, asaí and palmiche in Colombia, wassaï in French Guiana, huasaí in Peru and manaca in Venezuela.[4] The stems are used for construction, a beverage is made from the fruit, and the roots are used medicinally.[4]
^Phytochemical composition and thermal stability of two commercial açai species, Euterpe oleracea and Euterpe precatoria. Lisbeth A. Pacheco-Palencia, Christopher E. Duncan and Stephen T. Talcott, Food Chemistry 115 (2009) 1199–1205, doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2009.01.034
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