peach palm

Bactris gasipaes Kunth

Bactris gasipaes is a palm species native to the tropical forests of Central and South America. It is cultivated in agroforestry systems and occasionally in monoculture. The plant is long-lived, with an average productivity of 50 to 75 years. It exhibits significant genetic diversity, resulting in a range of fruit types, colors, and qualities. The edible fruits are nutritious but require cooking for 30 minutes to five hours. They also serve as a food source for wildlife. The species is cultivated for heart of palm and its trunk produces valuable timber.

Description

Bactris gasipaes belongs to the Arecaceae family and is commonly known as peach palm. It is distributed across several regions in Colombia, including Antioquia, Chocó, Putumayo, Tolima, and Valle del Cauca, as well as in parts of Bolivia and Brazil. The species is notable for its long lifespan and productivity. It is cultivated by smallholders and contributes to biodiversity and local economies through its edible fruits and timber. Its wide distribution and genetic variability make it an important species in tropical agroforestry.

Other common names

peach palm

Distribution

Antioquia, Chocó, Putumayo, Tolima, Valle del Cauca, Vaupés · Colombia, Valle del Cauca, Santiago de Cali, Barrio El Refugio · Valle del Cauca · BR · Barrancas | Distracción | Hatonuevo | Riohacha | Samaná · Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta | Parque Nacional Natural Sierra de la Macarena | Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua · TW · Rionegro · GF · Galápagos Islands · Amazonas, Antioquia, Arauca, Bolívar, Boyacá, Caldas, Caquetá, Casanare, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Cundinamarca, Guainía, La Guajira, Guaviare, Magdalena, Meta, Nariño, Norte de Santander, Putumayo, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Sucre, Tolima, Valle, Vaupés · Chocó: Bajo Baudó · Departamento del Putumayo: planicie amazónica (Puerto Leguízamo) y Piedemonte (Mocoa) · Amazonia colombiana: sur del departamento del Vichada; el suroriente del Meta; todo el territorio de los departamentos de Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo y Vaupés; la Bota Caucana; y las vertientes amazónicas de Nariño (la parte alta de los · Caño Cuduyarí, departamento de Vaupés (Amazonia Colombiana) · Jardín Botánico de Bogotá · Cuenca de Río Claro · Bolivia · Brazil North · Brazil West-Central · Colombia · Costa Rica · Ecuador · El Salvador · French Guiana · Honduras · Nicaragua · Panamá · Peru · Trinidad-Tobago