Babaçu

Among species of palm tree used in Brazilian industry, the most valuable from an economic point of view is the babaçu, because the whole of it is utilised. It is a tree which produces a lot of oil, the scientific name being Orbignya martiana. It is of great industrial and commercial value, and is found naturally in extensive groves in states such as Maranhão, Piauí and Tocantins.

The babaçu can reach a height of 20 metres, and is used from its roots to its leaves. From it is extracted the raw material used in the manufacture of margarine, coconut fat, soap and cosmetics. Its young growth makes good quality palmito (palm heart), and the fruit, when still green, is used to smoke rubber. When the fruit is ripe, the external part is edible. The trunk is used as timber for the construction of rural housing, and the leaves for home made baskets and also for roofing. The tree can also be used for the manufacture of cellulose and paper. As in the case of other palm trees, a liquid can be extracted from the stem of the flower and fermented to produce an alcoholic drink much appreciated by the Indians of the region.