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Oenocarpus bataua Mart.
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Bataua Palm, Seje Palm, Ungurahui |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Weeping / Pendulous |
| Maximum Height | 10 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Panama, northern South America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Solitary palm with a straight trunk, growing up to 10 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, feather-shaped fronds are composed of dark green, glossy leaflets which hang downwards. |
| Flowers | Male and female flowers are creamy white and fragrant. The flowers are arranged in a thick, stringy inflorescence that resembles the head of a mop. |
| Fruit | Glossy purplish black fruits resemble olives. The reddish pink, hard flesh is oily and has a chocolate-like taste. |
| Etymology | The genus Oenocarpus is derived from the Greek words for wine ('oinos') and fruit ('carpos'). |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit is added to beverages, ice cream, and popsicles. The fruit is soaked in water to soften the flesh before eating. Timber & Products: The wood is used to make flooring and other building materials. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Glossy / Shiny |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Palmate |
| Foliar Margin | Palmately Lobed |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Unisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black, Purple |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth, Glossy / Shiny |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 31443 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5840 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |