Astrocaryum mexicanum, the chocho palm, cohune palm, or chapay, is a species of cocosoid palm in the family Arecaceae, native to Mexico and Central America.[1][2] It is very long-lived for a palm, reaching 140 years.[3] Local people harvest its young inflorescences, its seeds, and its hearts for food.[2][4] Covered with stout spines, it is hardy to USDA zone 10a, and is occasionally planted as an ornamental in places such as Hawaii and Southern California.[5]

Astrocaryum mexicanum
At the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Even the spathe of the flowers is spiny
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Astrocaryum
Species:
A. mexicanum
Binomial name
Astrocaryum mexicanum
Synonyms[1]
List
    • Astrocaryum chichon Linden
    • Astrocaryum cohune (S.Watson) Standl.
    • Astrocaryum rostratum Hook.f.
    • Astrocaryum warszewiczii H.Karst.
    • Bactris cohune S.Watson
    • Hexopetion mexicanum (Liebm. ex Mart.) Burret

References

edit
  1. ^ a b "Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm. ex Mart". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b Edible Leaves, Tasty Roots, & Forgotten Vegetables of Tropical Mesoamerica (PDF). Asociacion FLAAR Mesoamerica. 2012. p. 14.
  3. ^ Piñero, D.; Sarukhán, J. (1982). "Reproductive behaviour and its individual variability in a tropical palm, Astrocaryum mexicanum". Journal of Ecology. 70 (2): 461–472. doi:10.2307/2259915. JSTOR 2259915.
  4. ^ Fern, Ken (30 July 2021). "Useful Tropical Plants Astrocaryum mexicanum". tropical.theferns.info. Tropical Plants Database. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Astrocaryum Species, Chocho Palm Astrocaryum mexicanum". Dave's Garden. MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2022.