Acrocomia aculeata
KNOWN IN PORTUGUESE as bocaiuva and macauba, this palm tree can be found in the North, Northeast and Midwest regions of Brazil, and bears fruit from October to January. The whole plant is usable, including the trunk, used 251 for building houses, and the leaves, which are transformed into fishing line and nets. The pulp of the fruit, soft and fibrous, can be eaten raw, and is known as the “Pantanal gum”. It can also be used to prepare juices, ice creams and bocaiuva flour, used in cakes, breads and cookies, among other pastries. The oil extracted from the nut is used as an ingredient in food and cosmetic industries, as well as for manufacturing margarine and soap.
