Acrocomia


Acrocomia is a genus of palms which is native to the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico in the north, through Central America and the Caribbean, and through South America south to Argentina.[1][2]

Acrocomia is a genus of spiny, pinnate-leaved palms which range from large trees to small palms with short, subterranean stems.[3]

The species bears branched inflorescences which are located among the leaves. The unisexual flowers; female flowers are born near the base of the inflorescence, while male flowers are borne towards the tips. Fruit are large, single-seeded, and vary in colour from yellow, to orange, to brown.[3]

Ricardo Vargas‑Carpintero et al. have concluded that "main research gaps are associated with genotype–environment interaction, planting material, crop management, and sustainable cropping systems. Overall, we conclude that acrocomia is at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop and its up-scaling requires the integration of sustainability strategies tailored to location-based social-ecological conditions."[4]


Acrocomia aculeata immature fruits.