Acrocomia

Acrocomia is a genus of palms which is native to the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico in the north, through Central America and the Caribbean, and through South America south to Argentina.^[1][2]

Acrocomia
Acrocomia aculeata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Subfamily:	Arecoideae
Tribe:	Cocoseae
Genus:	Acrocomia Mart.
Synonyms[1]
Gastrococos Morales Acanthococos Barb.Rodr.

Description

Acrocomia is a genus of spiny, pinnate-leaved palms which range from large trees to small palms with short, subterranean stems.^[3]

The species bears branched inflorescences which are located among the leaves. The flowers are unisexual; female flowers are born near the base of the inflorescence, while male flowers are borne towards the tips. Fruits are large, single-seeded, and vary in colour from yellow, to orange, to brown.^[3]

Acrocomia is considered to be at an early phase of development as an alternative and multipurpose crop.^[4]

Acrocomia aculeata immature fruits.

Species

• Acrocomia aculeata (Jacq.) Lodd. ex R.Keith - Mexico, Central America, West Indies, northern South America
• Acrocomia crispa (Kunth) C. Baker ex. Becc. - Cuba
• Acrocomia emensis (Toledo) Lorenzi - Brazil
• Acrocomia glaucescens Lorenzi - Brazil
• Acrocomia hassleri (Barb.Rodr.) W.J.Hahn - Mato Grosso do Sul, Paraguay
• Acrocomia intumescens Drude - Brazil
• Acrocomia media O.F.Cook - Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
• Acrocomia mexicana Karw. ex Mart. - Yucatán, Mexico ^[5]
• Acrocomia totai Mart.^[6] - Bolivia, Paraguay, northern Argentina, southern Brazil