Astrocaryum mexicanum

Astrocaryum mexicanum

The chocho palm or cohune palm, chapay (Astrocaryum mexicanum Liebm. ex Mart.) is an arboreal species belonging to the Arecaceae family.

Systematics –
From a systematic point of view it belongs to:
Eukaryota domain,
Kingdom Plantae,
Magnoliophyta division,
Class Liliopsida,
Subclass Arecidae,
Arecales Order,
Arecaceae family,
Subfamily Arecoideae,
Tribe Cocoseae,
Subtribe Bactridinae,
Genus Astrocaryum,
Species A. mexicanum.
The terms are synonyms:
– Astrocaryum chichon Linden;
– Astrocaryum cohune (S.Watson) Standl.;
– Astrocaryum rostratum Hook.f.;
– Astrocaryum warscewiczii H.Karst.;
– Astrocaryum warszewiczii H.Karst.;
– Bactris cohune S.Watson;
– Hexopetion mexicanum (Liebm. ex Mart.) Burret.

Etymology –
The term Astrocaryum comes from the Greek ἄστρον, astron, i.e. star and κάρυον, karion, i.e. nut, nucleus, seed, with reference to the star-shaped design of the fibers around the pores of the endocarp.
The specific epithet mexicanum refers to its Mexican origin.

Geographic Distribution and Habitat –
Astrocaryum mexicanum is a palm native to Mexico and Central America. In Mexico it is found on the Gulf of Mexico side and on the Pacific side from Nayarit to Chiapas. This palm is also distributed in Central American countries such as: Belize, Panama, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and El Salvador.
Its habitat is that of the humid tropical forests, abundant in the middle layer of the evergreen and semi-evergreen tall forest, in the undergrowth of the pluvial forests, where it is a plant that adapts easily in shady places or in full sun, whose altitudinal range goes from 40 to 500 m above sea level.

Description –
The Astrocaryum mexicanum is an evergreen palm which grows between 1 and 8 m of height with solitary and thin stems of 10 cm of diameter, single stem up to 8 cm of thickness with flat, robust, black spines, 3-6 cm long, arranged in whorls regularly distributed on the stem of the palm.
The young leaves are simple, the mature ones are compound leaves, alternate, grouped at the ends of the stems, up to 1 m or more long, arcuate, with 15 to 32 pairs of auricles per side, the apical ones often not divided and with margins notched; petiole and rachis have numerous acicular spines up to 5 cm long.
The inflorescences are erect and interfoliar, initially enclosed in a spiny spathe, compact, 25-30 cm long, with first order ramifications carrying whitish unisexual flowers on the same inflorescence; they have a female flower at the base of the branch (rachilla) and numerous male flowers for the rest of the length; the inflorescences present the phenomenon of proterogyny (with the female organs which ripen before the male ones) which favors the crossed fecundation.
The fruits are 4-6 cm long and 3-4 cm broad, with an ellipsoid to obovoid shape; they are brown in colour, covered with short black thorns and with edible endosperm, containing only one seed.

Cultivation –
Astrocaryum mexicanum is a palm that is harvested from the wild as a local source of food and materials.
It is a very ornamental palm, but to be used far from places of passage and rest due to the presence of dangerous thorns on the stem and also due to the fruits which, falling to the ground, can represent a danger.
The young plants are particularly attractive with their undivided leaves, if placed in places sheltered from the wind, and can be kept in pots for the decoration of shady greenhouses and conservatories. They are occasionally planted as ornamentals in places like Hawaii and Southern California.
This palm can be grown in tropical and humid subtropical climate regions; however, its cultivation can be attempted in a sheltered position in the milder temperate-warm ones, where temperatures around the 0 °C are very short lasting exceptions. It requires fertile and perfectly draining soils, acidic to neutral, kept constantly humid, but without stagnations, a shaded position in the first years of growth, then from slight shade to full sun when adult.
It is a very long-lived palm that can reach 140 years.
The propagation takes place by seed which takes, on average, 2-3 months to germinate.
The seed must first be cleaned of the pulp and immersed in water for two days, in draining organic loam kept humid at a temperature of 24-28 °C.

Customs and Traditions –
Astrocaryum mexicanum is a palm that was described by Liebm. former Mart. and published in the work Historia Naturalis Palmarum 3(10): 323. 1853.
This plant is known by various names, including: Mexican forest palm (English); lancetillo (Guatemala); lancetilla (Honduras); acté, chapay, chicalito de tuxtepec, chichón, chocho, coyol redondo, palmilla, tzitzún (Mexico).
The local population collects its young inflorescences, seeds and hearts as food.
The seed tastes similar to coconuts.
According to some reports it seems that the fruits and seeds of various species of this genus are used for the production of oil in the Amazon region.
Existing analyzes of the fat content of fruit show a relatively homogeneous composition among the different species, with around. 20% fat content in the mesocarp, mainly composed of oleic and palmitic acids, and 20 – 35% fat content in the endosperm, with lauric acid predominating.
Among other uses the leaves are used for straw.
The stems are used to make tool handles.
The stems are utilized by the local populations in the rural constructions, the leaves as covering, the immature inflorescences and the endosperm of the fruits as food.
It is important to underline that the use of Astrocaryum mexicanum is closely linked to local traditions and indigenous communities of Mexico. However, as with any natural resource, even if not currently at risk, it is essential to ensure sustainable management to preserve the ecosystem and the benefits that this plant offers to local populations.

Method of Preparation –
Astrocaryum mexicanum is a plant with various applications and uses in the daily life of local populations.
The fruits are edible and form an important part of the diet of some Mexican communities. They can be eaten fresh or used to prepare traditional foods, such as jams and sweets.
The inhabitants of the regions where this palm grows use its fruits to prepare drinks, such as juices or traditional liqueurs.
The leaves are used for roofing, wall and floor coverings in some communities. These leaves, known as ‘palmito’, are woven together to create strong and durable roofs.
The fibers made from the leaves of this palm are used to make handicrafts, such as baskets, rugs and hats. These fibers are known as “ixtle”.
In some cultures, different parts of this plant are used for medicinal purposes. For example, some indigenous peoples use the leaves, bark or fruit to treat various health conditions.
Furthermore, the plant can also be used for the production of oil, soaps and natural cosmetics.

Guido Bissanti

Sources
– Acta Plantarum – Flora of the Italian Regions.
– Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
– GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
– Useful Tropical Plants Database.
– Conti F., Abbate G., Alessandrini A., Blasi C. (ed.), 2005. An annotated checklist of the Italian vascular flora, Palombi Editore.
– Pignatti S., 1982. Flora of Italy, Edagricole, Bologna.
– Treben M., 2000. Health from the Lord’s Pharmacy, Advice and experiences with medicinal herbs, Ennsthaler Editore.

Photo source:
– https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/14835955/original.jpeg
– https://eol.org/pages/1132054

Attention: The pharmaceutical applications and alimurgical uses are indicated for informational purposes only, they do not in any way represent a medical prescription; we therefore decline all responsibility for their use for curative, aesthetic or food purposes.