#665 Acrocomia aculeata Common Names: macaw palm, gru-gru Family: Arecacea/Palmae (palm Family) Get link to this Profile or click for data record #665 e-mail this page

This macaw palm is thriving in Zone 9 at Orlando's Harry P. Leu Gardens.

There are typically 20-30 pinnate (compound - feathery) leaves in the canopy. Each is 10-12 ft (3.1-3.7 m) long and has leaflets about 3 ft (0.9 m) long. They are dark green with a white fuzzy undersides and look very much like queen palm leaves from a distance. There is no crownshaft and the yellow flowers, both male and female, are borne on a 6 ft (1.8 m) long inflorescence. The flower stalk emerges from a woody spathe (sort of a cylindrical covering). The flowers are followed by light green fruits that are about 2 in (5.1 cm) in diameter.

Location
The macaw palm occurs in tropical areas that are subject to occasional dry spells. It is endemic to the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Dominica and is a popular landscape palm throughout the Caribbean basin.

Culture
Although growth is slow, this palm can develop into a very nice specimen tolerant of salt, poor sandy or rocky soils and heat. Best growth occurs in fertile well drained soils.
Light: Requires full sun outdoors. Provide greenhouse specimens with full light.
Moisture: The macaw palm has an advantage over the queen palm in that it can tolerate dry spells more easily. But for fast growth and best looks, keep the soil moist.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 10A - 11. Enthusiasts are growing macaw palm in central Florida (Zone 9) with success but young specimens must be protected from the occasional frost.
Propagation: Seeds germinate in 4-6 months and should be scarified to hasten germination. Warm conditions with temperatures above 75ºF (23.8ºC)are required.

The macaw palm arms its trunk with fearsome spines.

Features
In its native regions Acrocomia aculeata is an extremely useful plant. The starchy pith, which makes up the inner core of the trunk, is used for cattle food in the dry season. The starch is extracted and is often fermented into an alcoholic drink. The fibrous leaves are used to make rope and twine. Oil can be pressed from the fruits which can also be boiled and eaten - although they are usually not the tastiest morsels on the table.

WARNING
As beautiful as it is, the Macaw Palm is very spiny. Plant it away from living areas and walkways where the fearsome armament cannot inflict harm!

Jeff Bielski 4/15/00; updated 11/8/03

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