Peach palm

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Peach Palm
• peach-palm

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Guilielma gasipaes

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Arecales, it is classified under the family Arecaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Bactris and the species Bactris gasipaes.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Bactris gasipaes, exhibits a specific geographical distribution throughout the Central American region. It can be found growing naturally in the territory of Costa Rica. Its presence is also documented across the landscape of El Salvador. Furthermore, the species extends its range into the countries of Honduras and Nicaragua. Finally, its distribution reaches the southern part of the isthmus in Panamá.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bactris gasipaes is characterized by its adaptability across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1500 m AMSL. Within its native environment, the species is frequently integrated into the complex structure of the canopy, where it occupies specific niches within the forest layers. To navigate the pressures of its ecosystem, the plant utilizes active defense mechanisms, providing it with a biological advantage against various environmental stressors or herbivores.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

canopy

Life history

The life history of Bactris gasipaes is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its environment over many years. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located high above the ground on woody stems, a trait consistent with both its classification as a phanerophyte and its specific structural habit. Throughout its existence, the plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage year-round rather than shedding it seasonally.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bactris gasipaes is characterized by its robust, woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a self-supporting tree or palm. This terrestrial species exhibits an erect shoot orientation, reaching an average plant height of 15 m, with a maximum height of up to 18 m. The plant is an independent organism, not functioning as a parasite or an epiphyte, and maintains a stable, non-climbing structure. Its structural development includes a maximum diameter at breast height (DBH) of 25 cm, and it can achieve a maximum shoot length of 1800 cm.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

DBH max:

25 cm

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

18 m

Plant height mean:

15 m

Shoot length max:

1800 cm

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bactris gasipaes is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency in its native environment. The plant exhibits significant vegetative development, with leaf lengths reaching a maximum of 400 cm, facilitating extensive light interception for energy production. Morphologically, the leaves are equipped with defensive structures, as the presence of leaf spines is a confirmed physiological trait used for protection against herbivory. 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 bacteria.

Leaf length max:

400 cm

Leaf spines :

yes

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bactris gasipaes is driven by an insect pollination syndrome, ensuring the fertilization necessary for fruit development. The resulting fruits are characterized by a fleshy texture and a vibrant orange color, serving as a key attractant within its ecosystem. These fruits exhibit significant morphological variation, with a mean length of 5 cm and a width that typically averages 4 cm, though they can range in width from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 5 cm. Following maturation, the plant utilizes a zoochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on animals to distribute its offspring. The internal seeds are substantial in size, maintaining a consistent mean volume of 110,000 mm³ (with both minimum and maximum recorded values at this level) and lengths ranging from 15 mm to 30 mm, which facilitates effective dispersal by fauna.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

5 cm

Fruit width max:

5 cm

Fruit width mean:

4 cm

Fruit width min:

3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Seed length max:

30 mm

Seed length min:

15 mm

Seed volume max:

110000 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bactris gasipaes has 23 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carotenoids, Ash, CALCIUM, CAPRIC ACID, FAT.

Carotenoids

1. Food chemistry
2. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

CAPRIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

IRON

1. Dr. Duke

MYRISTIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke

Tocopherols

1. Food chemistry

ascorbic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Bactris gasipaes has 240 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Absorbent, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Bactris gasipaes has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include metabolic syndrome.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations