Buriti Palm (Mauritia flexuosa)
cientific Name: Mauritia flexuosa — Buriti, also called Moriche Palm.
Native Home: Amazon rainforest and wetlands of tropical South America.
Height: 20–35 m.
Lifespan: Several decades, potentially over 100 years.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Not commonly harvested for timber; the palm is more valuable for its fruits and fibres.
Harvesting: Ripe fruits are collected from female palms, often seasonally.
Age to Harvest: Approximately 7–10 years for fruit production, depending on growing conditions.
Products: Fruit pulp, juice, oil, fibres, baskets, and traditional craft materials.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: Amazonian communities use the fruit for food and oil, and the leaves for weaving and thatching.
Global Spread: Native to tropical South America, especially Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela.
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