About Parajubaea cocoides Burret
Parajubaea cocoides Burret is a palm species that can reach up to 16 meters in height, with a trunk that grows up to 45 centimeters in diameter. Its leaves are 3 to 4 meters long; they are dark green on the upper surface and grayish green on the lower surface, with 60 to 70 pairs of pinnae (segments). The longest pinnae, found in the middle of the leaf, can reach up to 70 centimeters in length. The inflorescence of this palm is 1 to 2 meters long, and bears 50 to 70 short branches. Its fruit is ellipsoid in shape, measuring 4 to 5.5 centimeters long and 2.8 to 4 centimeters in diameter, and is greenish brown in color. For distribution and habitat, this species is only known from cultivation in Andean valleys of southern Colombia and Ecuador, growing at elevations between 2000 and 3000 meters. An unconfirmed natural population has been reported from a town in northern Peru at 1900 meters elevation. Parajubaea cocoides is cultivated as an ornamental palm for parks and avenues. Outside its region of origin, it is grown in cultivation in San Francisco, Sydney, Costa del Sol, and New Zealand. The seeds of this palm are edible, and have a flavor similar to coconut.
