Attalea speciosa
 
Common Names Babassu Palm, Babaçu, Cusi, American Oil Palm
 
Zones 10A–12
 
A towering palm native to the Amazon basin and surrounding lowland forests, Attalea speciosa is renowned for its economic and ecological importance. Its seeds yield babassu oil, a versatile product used in cosmetics, food, and biofuels. With its massive fronds and robust trunk, it dominates tropical landscapes and serves as a pioneer species in forest restoration.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing; monocarpic
Height: 60–100 ft (18–30 m) in habitat; 40–60 ft in cultivation
Trunk: Thick, up to 20 in diameter; smooth gray; no crownshaft
Leaves: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 26 ft long; leaflets linear-lanceolate, erect and spreading
Petiole: Unarmed; leaf bases persistent and fibrous
Inflorescence: Monoecious; male and female flowers on hanging, branched spikes up to 5 ft long
Fruit: Ovate-oblong, ~2.5 in long; yields 800–1,000 fruits per inflorescence; contains oil-rich seeds
Ecology: Native to Brazil, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname; thrives in lowland rainforest and transitional cerrado zones2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Regular; prefers moist, well-drained soil
Soil: Deep, fertile loam; tolerates seasonal flooding and poor soils
Temperature: Ideal range 70–90°F (21–32°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: High; thrives in tropical humidity
Propagation: By seed; large seeds germinate slowly over 1–6 months
Tolerance: Drought-tolerant once established; sensitive to frost and mechanical damage
 
Landscape Use Best suited for tropical estates, agroforestry, and restoration projects. Pairs well with Bertholletia excelsa, Inga edulis, and Theobroma cacao.