grugru palm

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Acrocomia quisqueyana
• Acrocomia guianensis
• Acrocomia ulei
• Acrocomia viegasii
• Acrocomia vinifera
• Acrocomia antioquiensis
• Bactris pavoniana
• Acrocomia belizensis
• Acrocomia christopherensis
• Acrocomia chunta
• Acrocomia karukerana
• Acrocomia antiguana
• Acrocomia mokayayba
• Acrocomia odorata
• Acrocomia panamensis
• Acrocomia pilosa
• Acrocomia lasiospatha
• Acrocomia media
• Acrocomia mexicana
• Acrocomia microcarpa
• Acrocomia minor
• Cocos aculeata
• Palma mocaia
• Bactris globosa
• Cocos fusiformis
• Palma spinosa
• Acrocomia sclerocarpa var. wallaceana
• Acrocomia sphaerocarpa
• Acrocomia spinosa
• Acrocomia subinermis
• Acrocomia tenuifrons
• Acrocomia erioacantha
• Acrocomia fusiformis
• Acrocomia glaucophylla
• Acrocomia globosa
• Acrocomia grenadana
• Acrocomia wallaceana
• Acrocomia horrida
• Acrocomia hospes
• Acrocomia ierensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Arecales and the family Arecaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Acrocomia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across various regions of North and Central America. In Mexico, its presence is noted throughout the Gulf coast and the Southeast. It can also be found extending into the Southwest region of the country. Moving southward, the distribution continues through Central America, specifically within Belize. Finally, its geographical reach includes the country of Costa Rica.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Acrocomia aculeata is characterized by a broad adaptive capacity across diverse environmental conditions, spanning an elevational range from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, occupying a wide variety of habitats including anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome, gallery forests (Floresta Galeria ou Ciliar), semi-deciduous seasonal forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), and ombrophilous/rainforest ecosystems (Floresta Ombrófila). Furthermore, the plant possesses specific biological defense mechanisms, as indicated by the presence of defensive traits used to navigate its various ecological niches.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Acrocomia aculeata is characterized by its status as a perennial species, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. As a phanerophyte, the plant maintains its photosynthetic organs at a significant height above the ground, typically through a robust, woody structure. It exhibits an evergreen deciduousness pattern, meaning it retains its foliage throughout the year rather than shedding it seasonally. This combination of a perennial lifecycle, phanerophyte life form, and evergreen nature allows the plant to maintain consistent metabolic activity and structural stability over many years.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Acrocomia aculeata is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 15 m with an average height of 15 m. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or an epiphyte. The tree exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on climbing mechanisms such as being a liana or vine. In terms of its structural dimensions, the plant can achieve a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 50 cm, and its shoots can reach a maximum length of 1200 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

50 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Shoot length max:

1200 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Acrocomia aculeata is characterized by specific metabolic and morphological adaptations suited to its environment. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and energy production. Morphologically, the species exhibits significant structural defenses and growth potential, featuring the presence of leaf spines that serve as a protective mechanism. In terms of vegetative dimensions, the foliage can reach a substantial maximum leaf length of 350 cm. Furthermore, from a nutritional standpoint, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability to support its physiological development.

Leaf length max:

350 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Acrocomia aculeata is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces fleshy fruits that serve as the primary reproductive structure. These fruits are characterized by a green coloration and vary in size, with a mean length of 4.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm) and a mean width of 4.6 cm (ranging from 3.8 cm to 5.4 cm). The seeds contained within these fleshy fruits are substantial, maintaining a consistent volume of 5400 mm³. Dispersal of the progeny is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, where animals play a critical role in spreading the seeds, ensuring the continued propagation of the species within its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit colour :

green

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.25 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit width max:

5.4 cm

Fruit width mean:

4.6 cm

Fruit width min:

3.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed volume max:

5400 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Acrocomia aculeata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Chemicals

Acrocomia aculeata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include oil.

oil

1. Natural product research

Activities

Acrocomia aculeata has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hypoglycemic.

Hypoglycemic

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Conditions

Acrocomia aculeata has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, antioxidant.

Antidiabetic

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Acrocomia aculeata has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanol extract, oil extracted from Acrocomia aculeata pulp.

Methanol extract

1. Pharmaceutica acta Helvetiae

Oil extracted from acrocomia aculeata pulp

1. Natural product research