Astrocaryum mexicanum, the chocho palm, cohune palm, or chapay, is a species of cocosoid palm in the family Arecaceae, native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It is very long-lived for a palm, reaching 140 years. Local people harvest its young inflorescences, its seeds, and its hearts for food. Covered with stout spines, it is hardy to USDA zone 10a, and is occasionally planted as an ornamental in places such as Hawaii and Southern California.
From Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Is it poisonous?
We have no record of Astrocaryum mexicanum being toxic, poisonous or venomous. That is not proof that it is safe. Never eat, touch or handle a wild plant, mushroom or animal on the strength of an identification; ask someone qualified.
Easily confused with
- Astrocaryum gynacanthum
- Astrocaryum aculeatissimum
- Aiphanes minima
- Bactris setosa
- Bactris plumeriana
- Bactris mexicana
Classification
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Phylum
- Tracheophyta
- Class
- Liliopsida
- Order
- Arecales
- Family
- Arecaceae
- Genus
- Astrocaryum
- Species
- Astrocaryum mexicanum
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