SCIENTIFIC NAME: Euterpe oleracea

COMMON NAME(S): Assai palm
SUB FAMILY: Arecoideae
TRIBE: Areceae
ORIGIN: Brazil and north coast of South America
HARDINESS ZONES: 11 (damaged but recovered at 34 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 60-80'
GROWTH RATE: Fast
HABIT: Clustering; each stem with 8-15 leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Low
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: Moderate
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Acid
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: Moderate; high (when mature)
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree; edible fruit
HUMAN HAZARDS: None
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS: None

COMMENTS: The assai palm is one of several dozen clustering or solitary rain forest species that occur throughout the warm American tropics. A thick, purple-colored drink (assai) is prepared from the ripe fruits that remains popular throughout Amazonian Brazil. Though fast-growing and very graceful in appearance, the assai palm is quite tender, and requires protection where freezing temperatures are periodically experienced. Like many wet rain forest palms, E. oleracea benefits from shade during its early years of growth, and a generous supply of moisture throughout its life. Regular fertilization is beneficial on poor, sandy soils, and alkalinity is not well tolerated. Protection from drying winds is also essential. Other species: E. edulis, the palmito, is a solitary-stemmed species from Brazil that is the commercial source of palm hearts (the innermost unexpanded leaves within the crownshaft), the harvest of which kills the palm.