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Page 41 · DO #466 · 204_Popenoe_Bx33FF36r
- Collection
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Wilson Popenoe (1892–1975) family papers
- Item/Folder
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The Nut Fruits, Miscellaneous Fruits - manuscripts, notes, correspondence - chapter in outline for proposed book with Herbert Wolfe, n.d.
- Digital Object
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DO #466,
page 41
- Collection-level dates
- 1882–1975
Page transcription
9
Pejibaye (Bactris gasipaes)
Native to tropical America, this is probably the only palm except the date which is cultivated for its edible fruit. It is often called "peach palm" in English, and the older botanical name (Guilielma utilis) is better known than the presently accepted one. This palm occurs wild or naturalized from Nicaragua down into Bolivia, but while it is commonly seen in dooryards in this area, only in Costa Rica and Panama are there small commercial plantings.
The pejibaye may reach 40 ft. in height, and has a slender, spiny trunk. The feathery leaves are 5 to 6 ft. long, with abundant spines on the petiole and midrib. Separate clusters of male and female flowers are borne in the leaf axils of the same tree. The fruits are in compact clusters, below the foliage, which weigh 15 to 25 lb. commonly. They are oval in shape, about 2 in. long (like a hen's egg), and range in color from light yellow to orange-scarlet in color. Usually each fruit contains a large, hard seed, but sometimes palms are found with fruits which are seedless or have very small seeds. The fruits may resemble peaches in appearance, but not in texture or taste. The flesh is mealy, like a baked potato, and must be boiled in salted water or roasted to make it palatable. Thus prepared, it has a sweet, nutty flavor and is highly nutritious, with about 35% carbohydrates (mostly starch) and 5% fat, as well as several vitamins in good quantity.
Propagation is commonly by seed, but it is worthwhile to attempt to root the suckers around the base of the palm in the case of seedless specimens. Seedlings may begin to bear in 3 or 4 yrs. under favorable conditions. Mature palms should yield 4 or 5 large bunches of fruit a year. The plants should be spaced about 15 ft. apart, and an orchard should produce 10,000 to 20,000 lb. of fruit annually for many years. Because it is so easy to grow and yields so abundantly of nutritious, palatable fruit, the pejibaye deserves much more extensive cultivation. It is adapted to humid, tropical lowlands, below 3000 ft., and does not fruit well in dry climates. No pests are known.
