Palmseed ID please

[simona]

I've got this palmseed in Oktober last year from a friend who had a Peru - Amazon trip. I was told that, the seed is edible and tastes like coconut.

It measures 3.5 inches (9 cm).

As it is germinating now, i would be happy if anyone knows what palm it might become.

[amazondk]

Hi Simona,

I would say that it looks like an Attalea of some sort.

dk

[simona]

Thank you, Don for the fast reply.

I remember searching on google for three days when I got the seed and could only come up with Maximiliana maripa (Attalea maripa) as nearest to th description. The only thing that puzzled me was the dimension of the seed.

I'm intrested bcause I would hate loosing the seedling over the winter....so, could you please advise a min. temperature?

[amazondk]

Simona,

It is too large for an Attalea maripa, but it may be Attalea phalerata depending on what part of Peru it came from. I would say that the tree probably would not handle anything under 0 C too well as it does come from a tropical climate. I have a couple of the A. phalerata that germinated from seeds I brought from Bolivia last year. They do not grow around here. The Attalea maripa and speciosa are very common here though.

dk

[simona]

I've asked about the location and it seems the fruit was collected after sailing for about two hours downstream from Iquitos to a "no name" village, somewhere in the rainforest.

I am going to keep the seedling indoor through the winter, where temps are around 18 Celsius. Hope it's ok.

Thank you very much for your help, Don!

[amazondk]

Simona,

They get to be real big trees. When I went by that area on my recent trip I saw some attaleas off in the distance. But, I was not able to make out which.

dk

[simona]

Well, till it hopefully grows to be big enough, I might donate the palm to the future Botanical Garden in Aqaba at the Red Sea (Zone 10).

If you'll ever go by there again and have some time, it would be nice if you could take a closer look. Anyhow, you've helped a lot already. Thank you!

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

I've asked about the location and it seems the fruit was collected after sailing for about two hours downstream from Iquitos to a "no name" village, somewhere in the rainforest.

I am going to keep the seedling indoor through the winter, where temps are around 18 Celsius. Hope it's ok.

Thank you very much for your help, Don!

Hi Simona,

If your Lowest temp is 18 Celsius in the winter I'd plant it in a larger

pot, (once you get a few more leaves on it that is) then put it outside

in a protected area it will be a good grower for you.

Regards Mikey.

[simona]

Thanks Mikey,

I meant that my lowest indoor temps are around 18 Celsius, it gets down to - 3 Celsius nighttemperature outdoor sometimes in winter.

Do you think it can survive that kind of cold in humid conditions if protected?

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Hi Simona,

Sorry about the delay in reply,at say 5 degree's would be the lowest I'd put this 'sp' outside

any lower would be suicide for sure and yes for a start a protected area would be best.

Regards Mikey