Ite Palm (Mauritia flexuosa) fruits Iwokrama Rainforest Guiana Shield Guyana South America October
Image details
Contributor:
Krystyna Szulecka Photography / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
BH04WWFile size:
49.8 MB (2.2 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
3400 x 5120 px | 28.8 x 43.3 cm | 11.3 x 17.1 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
19 October 2009Location:
Iwokrama Rainforest Guiana Shield Guyana South America OctoberMore information:
The Moriche Palm (Mauritia flexuosa) also known as the Ité Palm, Ita, Buriti, or aguaje (Peru). It grows in wet areas in tropical South America. The fruit (December-June) is covered with shiny, chestnut coloured scales. The yellow flesh covers a hard, oval, nut. Mauritia flexuosa has edible fruit with high vitamin C content. It is used to make juice, jam, ice cream, and alcoholic drink. An oil high in vitamin A is extracted from the pulp too and could be used to treat burns. Propagates by floating the seeds in water. Buriti oil is an orange-reddish oil extracted from the fruit of the Moriche palm. The oil contains high concentrations of oleic acid, tocopherols and carotenoids, especially β-carotene. Recently it has been found to filter and absorb cancer-causing UV rays from the sun. This tree is important to many animal species, several bird species, such as the Red-bellied Macaw, Sulphury Flycatcher and Moriche Oriole, use it for nesting and food. Many ungulates, fish and monkeys depend on the fruit.