Acrocomia aculeata
by Jose A. Grassia
March 2009
by Jose A. Grassia
March 2009
Taxonomic rank
Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Subfamily: Arecoideae
Tribe: Cocoeae
Subtribe: Bactridinae
Genus: Acrocomia
Species: Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq. f) Lodd. Ex Martius – 1845
Homotypic synonyms: (Check list Kew R.B. Garden 2008)
Cocos aculeata Jacq., Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist.: 278 (1763).
Acrocomia sclerocarpa Mart., Hist. Nat. Palm. 2: 66 (1824), nom. superfl.
Heterotypic synonyms: (Check list Kew R.B. Garden 2008)
Palma spinosa - Palma mocada - Bactris globosa - Bactris minor - Cocos fusiformis
Acrocomia fusiformis - Acrocomia sphaerocarpa - Acrocomia guianensis
Acrocomia minor - Acrocomia lasiospatha - Acrocomia totai - Bactris pavoniana
Acrocomia globosa - Acrocomia horrida - Acrocomia mexicana –
Acrocomia tenuifrons - Acrocomia cubensis - Acrocomia vinifera -
Acrocomia antioquiensis - Acrocomia zapotecis - Astrocaryum sclerocarpum - Acrocomia glaucophylla - Acrocomia intumescens - Acrocomia sclerocarpa var. wallaceana
Acrocomia microcarpa - Acrocomia mokayayba - Acrocomia odorata
Acrocomia erioacantha - Acrocomia wallaceana - Acrocomia ulei - Acrocomia pilosa
Acrocomia belizensis - Acrocomia chunta - Acrocomia hospes - Acrocomia ierensis
Acrocomia karukerana - Acrocomia panamensis - Acrocomia quisqueyana
Acrocomia subinermis - Acrocomia antiguana - Acrocomia christopherensis
Acrocomia grenadana - Acrocomia viegasii - Acrocomia spinosa
Common names: Totai, Macauba, Corojo, Corozo, Tamaco, Coyol, Macaw palm, Grugru palm, Mbocaya and many other names in different regions.
Scientific Synonymy: The Acrocomia genus is limited to only 4 species, according to The Royal Botanical Garden, Kew and I have used this institution as reference basis for this article. These species are the following:
-Acrocomia aculeata, which synonyms are listed above.
-Acrocomia crispa, endemic to Cuba and which homotypic synonyms are Cocos crispa, Astrocaryum crispum and Gastrococos crispa.
-Acrocomia hassleri, native to Brazil and Paraguay, and its synonym is Acanthococos hassleri.
-Acrocomia media, distributed from Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands and has no known synonyms.
This classification has originated many discussions, specially the case of A. aculeata, as there are significant visible differences between specimens growing in different regions, such as: sheaths of old leaves staying on the trunk, bigger crowns, bigger fruits and, the strangest of all, that some of them have an undivided first eophyll and some have bifid eophylls.
Of course, this could be clarified through deeper studies and DNA research, thereby determining whether or not they belong to different species or if they are just phenotypes or ecotypes.
Smooth trunk or spiny trunk. Stem with old sheaths
Geographical distribution: A. aculeata is broadly distributed in America, found from Mexico to the north of Argentina, in the provinces of Chaco, Corrientes, Misiones, Formosa and Salta. It is also found in The Antilles, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, but not in Peru and Ecuador.
Geographical distribution in Argentina
Description:
Monoecious palm tree with a 10-15 m high and 40-50 cm diameter, occasionally with a slight bulge at the base or in the middle, simple trunk. It may be covered with rests of old leaves and often armed with up to 12 cm long cylindrical spines, specially when young, along incomplete circles, spaced 10-12 cm throughout the trunk.
Pinnate 2.5-3 m long leaves, with grayish green segments and abaxially whitish, several-ranked leaflets along a spiny 40-80 cm long petiole. The leave rachis, also spiny on both sides, has more than 100, 40-70 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, reduplicate, several-ranked and bifid tip leaflets. Leaves bases are split, spiny and have indument.
Pinnate 2.5-3 m long leaves, with grayish green segments and abaxially whitish, several-ranked leaflets along a spiny 40-80 cm long petiole. The leave rachis, also spiny on both sides, has more than 100, 40-70 cm long and 1-2 cm wide, reduplicate, several-ranked and bifid tip leaflets. Leaves bases are split, spiny and have indument.
Above: adaxial view leaflets. Below: abaxial view rachis
Acrocomia aculeata has a 1.2m long inflorescence that grows between the leaves and partially hidden by them, with a tomentose and spiny peduncle an covered by a tomentose red spathe with a very sharp tip; monoecious diclinous flowers in same inflorescence. Inflorescence bearing female flowers in triads at the base, while the rest bears male yellowish flowers.
Globose, 2.5-5 cm diameter fruits with yellowish green smooth epicarp that turns almond brown when ripe. The mesocarp is fleshy, yellowish and abundant, very rich in oils. Endocarp is dark brown to black, hard and 3-4 mm thick and bears three pores off the equator. The seed has a 1.5-2 cm diameter and germinates in about 18 months. Cromosomes: n=15 (Uhl and Dransfield 1987).
Unripe and ripe fruits, mesocarp, endosperm and seed
Habitat: A. aculeata does not develop into big palm groves. It grows in small groups or isolated. Cattle and other mammals (some bats) help in its propagation and, apparently, grass burning helps its germination, thus making this species a pioneer in regeneration of burned flora. It is commonly found disperse and separated from each other over tens to hundreds of square meters of land.
It prefers deep and sandy, not subject to flooding ground, with not so deep underground sheets of water. It tolerates modified, clayish ground well and it is often found in spiny forests sharing its habitat with various species of trees. It normally grows on open plains or on deforested land , frequently found on disturbed land, in areas with well defined rainy seasons, normally on low lands, although it has been found at 1200 m above sea level in Colombian Andes.
It prefers deep and sandy, not subject to flooding ground, with not so deep underground sheets of water. It tolerates modified, clayish ground well and it is often found in spiny forests sharing its habitat with various species of trees. It normally grows on open plains or on deforested land , frequently found on disturbed land, in areas with well defined rainy seasons, normally on low lands, although it has been found at 1200 m above sea level in Colombian Andes.
The distribution rank is influenced by humans. Jansen (1983) considers that this species was introduced in Costa Rica by indigenous people in Pre-Colombian times, and Lenz (1990) reported that it was introduced by Mayas in some Mexican regions and Central America.
Above: Corrientes Argentina. Below: Brazil
Phenology: A. aculeata blooms from the beginning of spring until mid-summer and its fruits mature by the end of winter, although they remain attached to the tree for some time after.
Pollinators and dispersers: Besides the wind’s action, the main pollinators are Curculionidae, Nitidulidae, Escarabaeidae and bees, mostly honey bees.
Something interesting to note, in relation to animal seed dispersers, is the fact that besides cattle and pigs, other animals play such role, such as Didelphus albiventris (Weasel), Nectomys squamipes (Water rat), Cebus apella (Cai monkey); and birds such as Turdus sp., Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (Jacinto Macaw) y Ara glaucogularis (Blue-throated Macaw) Scariot 1998, Collar 1997, Yamashita & Machado de Barros 1997.
Something interesting to note, in relation to animal seed dispersers, is the fact that besides cattle and pigs, other animals play such role, such as Didelphus albiventris (Weasel), Nectomys squamipes (Water rat), Cebus apella (Cai monkey); and birds such as Turdus sp., Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (Jacinto Macaw) y Ara glaucogularis (Blue-throated Macaw) Scariot 1998, Collar 1997, Yamashita & Machado de Barros 1997.
Seed dispersion by cattle. Chiriquí, Panama
Uses: As many other palm tree species, every part of Acrocomia aculeata was and is still used throughout America. Although it is nowadays mainly used for cosmetics, soaps and bio-diesel, in native cultures it was a source of food, beverages, clothing, fibers, threads, cattle food, oils and margarine, needles, firewood and charcoal. Palmetto hearts come from its shoots, hypertension and diuretic medicines from its roots; its seeds are used as beads for necklaces and bracelets; its fruits are eaten fresh or as preserves and its endosperm is also ground and brewed with milk.
A. aculeata seeds bijouterie
A. aculeata oil soaps
The palm tree is cut down for the extraction of “coyol” wine
Multiplication and cultivation: A. aculeata multiplies by seed, which may take more than 18 months to germinate. It is best to take away the epicarp and mesocarp (skin and pulp), to scarify the endocarp by any mechanical means and soak it in water during approximately 20 days at ambient temperature, changing the water periodically. After soaking, and without letting it dry out, it must be superficially sowed in sand or peat, put on a shady location at 20°-30°C, and kept always moist.
Germination details
Once germinated, the shoots must be moved, when the first eophyll appears, to a minimum 20 cm deep container, taking care not to damage the roots, as this species is very sensitive to disturbance of its root system.
It is particularly noted that, during the early stages of development, the cotyledon petiole grows downwards and then strikes upwards out of the soil, thereafter sprouting the first ligule and eophyll. In this change of direction, a tight fold is formed, which keeps developing as time goes on, and changing into a sort of “bulb” that is part of the stem of the palm tree and, as the rest of the trunk, it is spiny. This underground spines are thought to be a defensive strategy against digging mammals, such as the wild pig, the armadillo (Dasypus septemcinctus), the Tatu Carreta or giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), which, do not feed from this palm tree, but cause irreparable damage to the plant anatomy when digging up their nests.
It is particularly noted that, during the early stages of development, the cotyledon petiole grows downwards and then strikes upwards out of the soil, thereafter sprouting the first ligule and eophyll. In this change of direction, a tight fold is formed, which keeps developing as time goes on, and changing into a sort of “bulb” that is part of the stem of the palm tree and, as the rest of the trunk, it is spiny. This underground spines are thought to be a defensive strategy against digging mammals, such as the wild pig, the armadillo (Dasypus septemcinctus), the Tatu Carreta or giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), which, do not feed from this palm tree, but cause irreparable damage to the plant anatomy when digging up their nests.
Formation of "bulb" in shoots
"Bulb" with spines in young palm tree
It is convenient to place the seedlings in a shady location and to keep them moist until the plant grows its first pinnate leaves. Then, it may be placed in a sunny location. Once adult, A. aculeata resists transplantation very well and may not suffer great damages if cultivated in zones with minimal temperature of -5°C.
The presence of spines on its whole structure makes this species unwelcomed for landscaping, nevertheless, it is very easy to take the spines away from the trunk so as to make it safe and enjoy it in our gardens. Another option would be planting climbing species such as Photus (Epipremnum aureus) or some of the many beautiful species of Philodendron to protect people against the trunk spines.
Present and future possibilities for Acrocomia aculeata
I should not fail to mention the great potentiality of this species in industrial exploitation, specially in those emerging countries which regional economies face difficulties and rural inhabitants undergo a hard daily life in their search for a means to sustenance and a better standard of life.
Despite the availability of such a noble vegetal species which is so easily propagated and cultivated, it is unbelievable that its massive or local industrialization, as an economic resource for subsistence, is neglected.
The following report backs-up the above:
SIXTH CONGRESS OF RESEARCH AND INTELECTUAL CREATION AT UNIMET
Extraction of oil from Acrocomia aculeata nuts and its possible uses
D.J. Ballesteros – A. Mieres-Pitre and C. Hernández
Universidad de Carabobo
For this research , an evaluation was made on the oil extraction from the nut of the “corozo” fruit to be used as raw material in the oil industry. The mentioned fruit comes from a native palm tree distributed in Central and South America. Forty mature fruits were randomly selected from the town of Macapo, Cojedes State. Their nuts were removed and then ground down to flour and sieved. Oil was extracted using the solvent (n-hexane) extraction procedure in a Soxhlet equipment, at lab and pilot scale.
The results obtained on the proximal composition of the nut were the following: 5.42% moisture, 2.99% ash, 46.63% fat, 11.40% protein and 33.41% carbohydrates. Crude corozo oil showed iodine and saponification values of 28,74 cgI/g y 228 mg KOH/g, respectively. Chromatography showed a higher proportion of lauric acid (35.8%p/p), oleic acid (17.75%p/p) and palmitic acid (12.13%p/o). The yielding at lab and pilot scale was 48.91% and 46.20%, respectively.
The conclusion is that “corozo” oil may be used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, and in the elaboration of food products such as cookies, coverings, glazings and similar cacao products, as its composition is similar to that of coconut and palmiste oils
Besides the above-mentioned, we should not forget the strong possibilities of obtaining bio-fuel from this palm tree.
Be noted that Jathropa curcas, which has a 30% seed oil, yields only 4000 Kg/Ha, a total of 1240 liters of bio-diesel per hectare, while Acrocomia aculeata (Mbocaya), yields 19,000 Kg/Ha, which represents more than 2800 liters of bio-diesel per hectare.
And, most important, it would not be a long-term production… no need to sow and wait two, three or five years for harvesting. The palms are there, waiting...
I thank those colleagues and friends who have collaborated with their photos as illustrations for this article. Some of the pictures have been downloaded from internet
D.J. Ballesteros – A. Mieres-Pitre and C. Hernández
Universidad de Carabobo
For this research , an evaluation was made on the oil extraction from the nut of the “corozo” fruit to be used as raw material in the oil industry. The mentioned fruit comes from a native palm tree distributed in Central and South America. Forty mature fruits were randomly selected from the town of Macapo, Cojedes State. Their nuts were removed and then ground down to flour and sieved. Oil was extracted using the solvent (n-hexane) extraction procedure in a Soxhlet equipment, at lab and pilot scale.
The results obtained on the proximal composition of the nut were the following: 5.42% moisture, 2.99% ash, 46.63% fat, 11.40% protein and 33.41% carbohydrates. Crude corozo oil showed iodine and saponification values of 28,74 cgI/g y 228 mg KOH/g, respectively. Chromatography showed a higher proportion of lauric acid (35.8%p/p), oleic acid (17.75%p/p) and palmitic acid (12.13%p/o). The yielding at lab and pilot scale was 48.91% and 46.20%, respectively.
The conclusion is that “corozo” oil may be used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, and in the elaboration of food products such as cookies, coverings, glazings and similar cacao products, as its composition is similar to that of coconut and palmiste oils
Besides the above-mentioned, we should not forget the strong possibilities of obtaining bio-fuel from this palm tree.
Be noted that Jathropa curcas, which has a 30% seed oil, yields only 4000 Kg/Ha, a total of 1240 liters of bio-diesel per hectare, while Acrocomia aculeata (Mbocaya), yields 19,000 Kg/Ha, which represents more than 2800 liters of bio-diesel per hectare.
And, most important, it would not be a long-term production… no need to sow and wait two, three or five years for harvesting. The palms are there, waiting...
I thank those colleagues and friends who have collaborated with their photos as illustrations for this article. Some of the pictures have been downloaded from internet
