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babassu palm

Attalea speciosa Mart. ex Spreng.

Family: Arecaceae · Genus: Attalea

Climax Emergent Mulch biomass
ed. Karl Friedrich Philipp von Martius (1794 - 1868) · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Native palm of the transition zones between the Amazon, Cerrado, and Caatinga — strongly present in Maranhão, Piauí, Tocantins, and northern Goiás. Stipe 10–20 m (up to 30 m), with 7–22 fronds of 4–8 m length. Each adult palm yields 2–5 bunches per year (200–600 fruits). Supports the 'quebradeiras de coco' — matriarchal extractivist communities. Nuts yield mesocarp flour, endocarp (charcoal), and oil-rich almonds (60–65% oil). Reaches maturity at 15–20 years; lifespan 35+ years.

📚 Synonyms

Scientific synonyms: Orbignya phalerata Mart., Attalea brasiliensis Glassman

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Climax
Ecological role
Climax
Primary stratum
Emergent
Strata
Emergent, High
Biomass class
Mulch biomass

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
High
Soil pH range
4.5–7
Preferred soil texture
Loamy, Clayey, Sandy
Hardiness zones
10–13

Morphology

Mature height
10–20 m
Recommended spacing
8–10 m
Root system
Fibrous
Root depth
Deep
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
35–80 years
Time to first harvest
120 months
Productive lifespan
40 years

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Babassu palm takes the Emergent stratum in the Climax phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent · ≈20 m High Medium Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

Spacing 8×8 m to 10×10 m in plantings. Tolerates fire, prolonged drought, and poor soils. Plays the emergent role in syntropic systems; the dense fallen frond layer is a major biomass input.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Fruiting months: August, September, October, November, December, January, February

❓ Frequently asked questions

How long until the first harvest of babassu palm?

The first harvest of babassu palm comes around 120 months after planting.

What spacing is recommended for babassu palm?

The recommended spacing for babassu palm is 8–10 m.

How tall does babassu palm grow?

At maturity, babassu palm reaches 10–20 m tall.

When does babassu palm fruit?

Fruiting of babassu palm occurs in August, September, October, November, December, January, February.

When does babassu palm flower?

Flowering of babassu palm occurs in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

What stage and stratum does babassu palm occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, babassu palm belongs to the climax stage, occupying the emergent stratum.

Functions

🍎 Fruit Oil seed Fiber 🌿 Biomass producer Fuelwood

Propagation

Seed

Citations

  1. SciELO Brasil — Conhecimento e usos do babaçu (Attalea speciosa) (description, biomes)
  2. Reflora — Flora e Funga do Brasil: Attalea speciosa (biomes)
  3. Flora e Funga do Brasil — Attalea speciosa Mart. ex Spreng. (family, genus, scientific_author, flora_do_brasil)
  4. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Attalea speciosa Mart. ex Spreng. (external_ids, powo_id)
  5. Useful Tropical Plants — Attalea speciosa (root_system, root_depth, soil_texture_preference, time_to_first_harvest_months, cultivation_notes)

External references

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