Tucuma palm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• awarra palm
• tucum palm
• tucuma palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Astrocaryum guianense
• Astrocaryum awarra
• Astrocaryum tucumoides
• Astrocaryum segregatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Arecales, it is further categorized under the family Arecaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is established within the genus Astrocaryum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the tropical regions of Northern South America. Its presence is documented throughout the territories of French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname. In addition to these areas, the species can be found within the diverse landscapes of Brazil. Specifically, it inhabits the West-Central region as well as the Northeast part of the country. Therefore, its geographical range is concentrated within these specific South American locations.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Astrocaryum vulgare is characterized by its ability to thrive across diverse environmental contexts, ranging from anthropogenic areas to more stable natural ecosystems. It is commonly found within the Cerrado (latto sensu) biome and in the dense, undisturbed environments of Terra Firme forests. Within these habitats, the species employs specific biological strategies to ensure its survival against herbivory and environmental stressors; notably, it possesses active defense mechanisms to protect its tissues and reproductive structures from various biological threats.

Defense :

yes

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Astrocaryum vulgare is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring long-term survival through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems or branches, a structural adaptation that defines its growth habit. This species maintains an evergreen deciduousness, retaining its foliage throughout the year and providing a consistent canopy structure. Through these biological traits, the plant establishes a stable and enduring presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Astrocaryum vulgare is characterized by its stature as a woody, self-supporting tree that typically reaches a mean height of 8 meters, though it can grow up to a maximum height of 10 meters. As a terrestrial plant, it maintains an independent growth habit, neither functioning as a parasite nor an epiphyte. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation, with shoot lengths reaching a maximum of 1500 cm. Structurally, it is categorized by a woody constitution with a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 20 cm, and while its growth form is primarily that of a tree, it shares certain morphological characteristics with palm-like structures.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

20 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

palm

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

10 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Shoot length max:

1500 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Astrocaryum vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its typical environmental conditions. The plant exhibits significant vegetative development, with leaf structures that can reach a maximum length of 750 cm. Morphologically, the leaves are distinguished by the presence of leaf spines, which serve as a defensive physiological adaptation. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil rather than through symbiotic nitrogen-fixing relationships.

Leaf length max:

750 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Astrocaryum vulgare is characterized by the production of fleshy, indehiscent drupes that play a critical role in its life cycle. These fruits are distinguished by an orange coloration and vary in size, with a mean fruit length of 4.375 cm (ranging from 3.5 cm to a maximum of 5 cm) and a mean width of 3.35 cm (ranging from a minimum of 2.5 cm to a maximum of 3.7 cm). The seeds contained within these fleshy fruits are relatively substantial, exhibiting a mean mass of 9.205 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 8.31 g to a maximum of 10.1 g. Additionally, the seeds maintain a consistent volume of approximately 12,000 mm³. Following a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, the plant relies on animals to transport its fruits, facilitating the spread of its progeny throughout its natural habitat.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

5 cm

Fruit length mean:

4.375 cm

Fruit length min:

3.5 cm

Fruit type :

drupe

Fruit width max:

3.7 cm

Fruit width mean:

3.35 cm

Fruit width min:

2.5 cm

Seed mass max:

10.1 g

Seed mass mean:

9.205 g

Seed mass min:

8.31 g

Seed volume max:

12000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Astrocaryum vulgare has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-SITOSTEROL, Carotenoids, Ethyl butanoate, METHYL HEXANOATE, MYRISTIC ACID.

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Carotenoids

1. Food research international (Ottawa, Ont.)

Ethyl butanoate

1. Dr. Duke

METHYL HEXANOATE

1. Dr. Duke

MYRISTIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

lauric acid

1. Dr. Duke

oleic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Astrocaryum vulgare has 66 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Androgenic, Anemiagenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antialopecic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Astrocaryum vulgare has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses