Elaeis oleifera aka American Oil Palm

Elaeis oleifera, the American oil palm, belongs to the palm family. It comes from tropical Central and South America. Its range spans Honduras south to northern Brazil and Peru. It grows in open forests and low ground near streams. Wild plants often grow in damp sand with poor drainage. Some remain after people clear the land around them.

This evergreen palm grows slowly and has one unbranched trunk. Garden listings give a height of 13 feet [4 metres]. They give a spread of about 10 feet [3 metres]. Other accounts describe plants reaching 20 feet [6 metres] or more. The trunk can reach 1.3 feet [0.4 metres] across. Large, arching leaves form a crown above the stem. The leaves are pinnate, with glossy, deep green leaflets. Dense flower clusters develop into crowded groups of bright red fruit. Growers seldom use this species as an ornamental palm. Its green crown still gives it value in tropical gardens.

This palm needs warm, moist conditions and a sunny site. Young plants also grow well in full sun. It prefers soil rich in humus, with good drainage. It accepts sandy, loamy, and clay soils. Its preferred soil pH falls between 5.5 and 6.5. It can also tolerate values from 5 to 7.3. Best growth occurs with daytime temperatures of 20–30°C. Temperatures of 8°C or below can kill it. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12 for this species. Its preferred yearly rainfall is 1,400–2,500 millimetres.

People gather its fruit and seeds for two edible oils. The fruit pulp yields palm oil; seeds yield kernel oil. Both serve as cooking oils and ingredients in margarine and ice cream. Other uses include soap, shampoo, cosmetics, and lubricants. People also apply the oil to repel insects. Local remedies use pulp oil for rheumatism and scalp care. Reports describe leaf-axil hairs as a way to stop bleeding. These reports describe traditional uses, rather than proven medical effects.

Breeders use this species as a parent in oil-palm crosses. Its shorter trunk helps make fruit easier to harvest. Breeding goals also include bud-rot resistance and changes in oil content. The supplied sources give no specific pest list for this species. PFAF and Useful Tropical Plants report no known hazards. That does not establish safety for every use or for pets.