ABSTRACT
Euterpe oleracea is a palm tree, widely distributed in northern South America, especially near the coast, but is found most commonly in the Brazilian state of Pará. It grows in considerable numbers in §oodplain areas of the Amazon River. The trees have slender trunks, 7 to 23 cm (3-9 in.) in diameter and 3 to 25 m (10-82 ft.) in height. Several trunks (up to 25) typically arise from the base of the plant, so that the trees grow in clumps. However, solitary trees are occasionally encountered. The leaves are situated at the top of the plant and are 2 to 5 m (6.5-13 ft.) long, with 40 to 80 lea§ets arranged on each sides of the midrib. Like most palm trees, the leaves are evergreen (i.e., longlived), but the lower (older) leaves regularly drop off. Rings around the trunk are formed from the scars of detached leaves, from the base of the plant up to the crown of leaves. Fruits are produced throughout the year in the native area, particularly in the dry season (July to December) in bunches of 500 to 900. The ripe berries are green when immature, usually ripening to dark purple, although some plants produce berries that remain green at maturity (and are often termed “white”). The fruits are round; the size of small grapes or large blueberries: 1.1 to 1.5 cm (0.4-0.6 in.) in diameter. Most of the berry (about 80%) is seed, which is surrounded by a thin layer of edible pulp.
