3400 x 5120 px | 28,8 x 43,3 cm | 11,3 x 17,1 inches | 300dpi
Data acquisizione:
19 ottobre 2009
Ubicazione:
Iwokrama Rainforest Guiana Shield Guyana South America October
Altre informazioni:
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.
