Peques

Hungurahui

Nome scientifico:

Oenocarpus bataua Mart.

Nome comune:

Hungurahui, Bataua, Chapil, Sacumana, Sege, Jagua, Palm seje (Venezuela), Patauá (portugués), Palma milpé, Patabá, Seje o Numuñu (tukano); Yavecohañu (kubeo), Kumbu, Milpesos, Aricaguá Isan (shipibo-conibo), Cosa (siona); Cuncu-ki (shuar), Petowe (waorani).

Famiglia:

Arecaceae

25,00 $

Description

Native to the Amazon, this palm is distributed in the Guianas and in the north of the Amazon basin, which includes Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil. Ungurahui reaches up to 25 m in height and 20 to 45 cm in diameter, without thorns, with faint vertical fissures, rings of 5 cm wide every 25 cm. Large leaves, pinnate, spirally arranged, up to 4 m long, dark green, thick rachis. Fruit ovoid or ellipsoid, 2.5 to 3.5 cm long and 2 to 2.5 cm in diameter, purplish black and fine pulp, grouped in clusters. Seed hard and covered with fibers. Emergent roots.

Medicinal use

From the roots and the oil of the fruits can be obtained remedies against: Asthma, Baldness, Diarrhea, Gastritis, Gastritis. Diarrhea, Gastritis, Helminthiasis, Malaria, TBC.

Other uses

The fruits are edible in their natural state and are used in the preparation of drinks and ice creams.

Degree of endangered / felling

The recent increase in demand for ungurahui oil for the cosmetic industry is affecting its sustainability. As with other plant and animal species in the Amazon, indiscriminate exploitation and inadequate management of its production are threatening the species, putting it in danger of extinction, due to the unnecessary felling of adult palm trees in order to harvest its fruits. This practice can be eradicated, replacing it with the use of appropriate tools for efficient and low-cost harvesting, such as climbing harnesses and strobes. If the palm is not cut and some fruits are left unharvested, the chances of sustainable management are high, since fruit production is quite generous. With this, the natural regeneration of the species and the sustainability of the resource could be guaranteed.