Attalea maripa aka Maripa Palm

Attalea maripa is an evergreen palm in the Arecaceae family. Its names include maripa, inaja, and kokerite. It grows wild from Trinidad across tropical South America. Its range includes Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and the Guianas. It grows in lowland wet forest and cleared forest sites. Sources also record it in coastal swamps and open ground. It often grows on land without seasonal floods.

This palm has one trunk and a large leaf crown. Garden references give a height of 49 feet (15 metres). One source gives the same width for its spread. Other accounts report heights of 66–79 feet (20–24 metres). The trunk has no branches and shows rings when young. It measures about 0.7–1.3 feet (0.2–0.4 metres) across. Its crown holds 10–22 large, feather-like leaves. These can reach 36 feet (11 metres) in length. The tall trunk and bold crown suit large tropical landscapes.

Growth is moderate, and flowering may begin around ten years old. Bees and other insects pollinate the flowers. A palm can produce two to six fruit clusters yearly. The oblong fruits turn creamy yellow or brown. They reach about two inches long. Their sweet, scented flesh has few fibres. People eat the flesh raw or use it in drinks. The flesh also provides a milk-like drink. People toast the seed's edible inner part and extract cooking oil. They use flour from the outer husk to season food. The growing tip is edible, but harvesting it kills the palm.

Grow this palm in sun with moist soil that drains well. It also grows in light woodland shade. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. It tolerates mildly acid through mildly alkaline soil, including saline soil. It needs a warm climate and cannot withstand frost. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12. The palm withstands strong winds but not exposed seaside conditions. Sow fresh ripe seed in beds or separate pots. Sources report that trees may live for 200 years.

People grow maripa for food, oil, and its landscape value. Its leaves supply thatch and material for weaving. Growers produce its oil commercially, and researchers have studied biodiesel uses. People rub seed oil on joints as a traditional rheumatism treatment. Seeds can sprout after fire or forest clearing. This helps the palm colonise disturbed land and support woodland restoration. PFAF lists no weed potential. The supplied sources report no known hazards. They give no details of specific pests or diseases.