Background information: The Acai Palm belongs to a family
of over 1200 species comprising 32 distinct generic groups and are widely
regarded as one of the most useful plant families in the world. Uses include
food, clothing, oil for cooking, drinks, clothing, weapons, building materials,
and containers.
Most mature Acai palm trees in the wild develop 4-8 stems
from a single seed and root system. It isn't uncommon for the Acai palm to
sprout up to 25 or more shoots all growing as individual Acai palms. Acai palm
has adapted well to live and thrive in seasonally flooded areas in soils often
waterlogged for months. The Acai Palm produces quite small male and female
flowers of a brown to purple color.
The Acai Palm produces a highly nutritious
edible berry which grows in dense bunches typical of many palms. Acai fruit
ripens from a green color to a dark rich purple. Each Acai stem normally
produces four to eight bunches of fruit throughout the year making it one of
the most prolific fruiting palms in the forest. The bunches of ripe fruits are
heaviest in the dry season (July to December) with individual bunches weighing
up to 6 kg. One Acai palm stem usually yields an average of 24 kgs plus of
fruit per year. Seed disbursement from their droppings ensures continual
propagation of the species. The Acai palm is perhaps the most common palm found
throughout the lowland flood areas of northern South America