Guariroba facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guariroba |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Syagrus (plant)
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| Species: |
oleracea
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| Synonyms | |
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Cocos flexuosa Mart. |
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The Guariroba (scientific name: Syagrus oleracea) is a type of palm that grows naturally in Brazil. It's also known as palmito amargo, which means "bitter palm heart." This tall, elegant palm is famous for its edible palm heart and fruits.
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What's in a Name?
The name "guariroba" comes from the Tupi language. The Tupi word gwarai-rob means "the bitter one." This name probably refers to the slightly bitter taste of its palm heart.
People in different places call this palm by many other names. Some of these include gueiroba, gueroba, gariroba, and gairoba. You might also hear it called palmito-amargoso, catolé, coco-babão, pati-amargoso, coco-amargoso, or coqueiro-amargoso.
About the Guariroba Palm
The guariroba palm is a very beautiful plant. It has a single, straight trunk that grows quite tall. Its leaves are long, arching, and look like feathers.
How It Looks and Grows
This palm can grow up to 20 meters (70 ft) (about 66 feet) high. Its large leaves can be as long as 3 meters (10 ft) (about 10 feet). The palm produces flowers in clusters. These flowers appear during spring and stay until autumn.
Fruits of the Guariroba
The guariroba palm also grows tasty fruits. These fruits are a yellowish-green color and are slightly oval-shaped. They grow in bunches between October and February. Both the fleshy part of the fruit and the oil-rich kernel inside are safe to eat.
Where It Likes to Grow
You can grow this palm from its seeds. However, it also grows on its own in forests. It's common in the Midwest and Southeast parts of Brazil. This palm prefers warm weather and soil that drains water well.
Where Guariroba Palms Live
The guariroba palm is found across Brazil. It grows in the Atlantic semi-deciduous forests, which lose some leaves in dry seasons. It's also found in the Cerrado, a large savanna region. You can even spot it in the drier Caatinga biome. Beyond Brazil, this palm has been seen in Paraguay and Bolivia.
Uses of the Guariroba Palm
The guariroba palm is very useful to people. It provides food and is also used to make places look nice.
Guariroba Palm Heart
One of its most famous products is the palm heart, or terminal bud. Some people find it a bit bitter compared to palm hearts from other trees. But in places like Goiás and Minas Gerais in Brazil, the guariroba palm heart is a special food.
It's a key ingredient in many traditional dishes. For example, it's a must-have in a delicious empadão goiano, which is a large savory pie. This pie often includes chicken, sausages, potatoes, boiled eggs, and ripe tomatoes along with the guariroba. You can also enjoy the guariroba palm heart in a fresh salad with cherry tomatoes and lots of seasoning.
Other Uses
Besides the palm heart, oil can be taken from the seeds of the guariroba. This oil is also edible.
The guariroba palm is also popular for landscaping. You can see thousands of these palms planted in city squares. They are often used in the middle sections of streets and avenues. A great example is the city of Jataí in Goiás, Brazil, where many guariroba seedlings have been planted over the years.
See also
In Spanish: Palmito amargo para niños
