Acrocomia totai

Acrocomia totai

This large palm from Brazil, Bolivia and Argentina is covered with spines and is best described as 'interesting' although, especially from a distance, a well-grown tree certainly has a very handsome appearance. The difficulties in germinating it are as formidable as its armament, seed taking up to a year or more to sprout (a heat treatment prior to sowing has been fairly successful to improve results). When the plant eventually does grow it goes WHOOOOMPH!!, but is covered from head to foot with dangerous, dense, black spines. Those who like a challenge will certainly enjoy growing this palm... Suitable for warm temperate to tropical climates and quite frost resistant.

germination comments by our visitors
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Also see plant cultivation comments below.

Seeds from this species ...

... are average to germinate and need up to 6 months to sprout.
I do agree that the shell should be taken off. I was skeptical but I tried, I cut around the shell with a hacksaw and then popped them open with a screwdriver. 50% sphagnum peat and 50% sphagnum moss in ziplock bags. 80 to 90 degrees F.Keep moist but not wet. 3 germinations at 4 months to the day. I expect more soon, I don't see how they could ever germinate naturaly.
Submitted on 26/05/2006 by Michael Bieber mjbtol@aol.com

... are average to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
This palm is native from my country, Paraguay. We can get better results if sowing the seeds in a cool and fresh place, but after taking out the very hard wrapping. Just sow the kernel. Otherwise, you will have to wait a few years.
Submitted on 09/03/2006 by Jorge Samson samson@telesurf.com.py

...easy to germinate and need up to 3 months to sprout.
Acrocomia seed has a very hard and thick shell. The kernel is edible and tastes similar to a coconut. Get a heavy hammer and an anvil or vise. Pound the shells carefully while rotating them in order to crack the shell and not crush the seed. Even if the kernel is slightly dented it will germinate in 1 to 3 months. Smashed kernels should be eaten or thrown away. These palms like well drained moist soil and warmth. This works very well for me in Florida. You will wait several years for natural germination and few will survive that long.
Submitted on 15/07/2004 by John Desrosiers jrdgpn@yahoo.com


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plant cultivation comments by our visitors
Also see germination commnets above.

Plants from this species ...

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If you wish to read more on palm cultivation, we highly recommend Ornamental Palm Horticulture by Timothy K. Broschat and Alan W. Meerow, available in our bookshop.

Ratings and comments reflect individual experiences and the views of our visitors. They do not necessarily describe the most appropriate methods, nor are they necessarily valid for all seeds or plants of this species. Germination and plant cultivation success depends on many different factors; nevertheless, these experiences will hopefully aid you in your effort to get the best germination results from our seeds and the best growth results from your plants.

We recommend:

Martius, Book of Palms
by H. Walter Lack

Hardcover - 450 pages
19.8 x 13.5 inches!
11.1 pounds!
50 x 34 cm, 5 kg

Our Rating:

Suitable for: all

Martius's magnificent work on the varieties of palm tree. This epic folio was based on Martius's expedition to Brazil and Peru with zoologist Johann Baptist von Spix. From 1817 to 1820 the pair travelled over 2,250 km (1,400 miles) throughout the Amazon Basin, the most species-rich palm region in the world, collecting and sketching specimens.
In his epic work, Martius outlined the modern classification of palm, produced the first maps of palm biogeography, described all the palms of Brazil, and collated the sum of all known genera of the palm family. For apart from his own collection of specimens and notes, Martius also wrote about the findings of others.
Martius's folio is unusual in its inclusion of cross-sectioned diagrams, conveying the architecture of these mighty trees. Equally remarkable are the color landscapes showing various palms—often standing alone—which have a simple and elegant beauty. This famous work is an unrivaled landmark in botanic illustration and taxonomy.

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