About Euterpe edulis Mart.
Euterpe edulis Mart., commonly called juçara, jussara (an archaic alternative spelling), açaí-do-sul, or palmiteiro, is a species of palm belonging to the genus Euterpe. It is closely related to the açaí palm, Euterpe oleracea, which is cultivated for its fruit and superior-quality hearts of palm. Today, Euterpe edulis is predominantly used for hearts of palm. The larvae of the butterfly Caligo brasiliensis have been reported to feed on this species. Although it was formerly harvested widely across Brazil for hearts of palm, past overharvesting has left it uncommon in the wild, and it is no longer harvested commercially. This species is at risk of extinction.
