What are palm trees? What types of palm trees grow on our Black Sea coast? Can they be grown at home? Which of them can be grown independently from seeds? Here we will try to answer these questions. To begin with - general information.
Palm leaves are characterized by pinnate and fan type. The leaves are spirally arranged on petioles. Flowers unisexual or bisexual. The fruits are a drupe or a nut.
Palm trees grown at home from seed, long time are in a rosette state, and only after the rosette reaches the required diameter, the stem begins to grow in height. This feature makes it possible to keep young palm trees grown from seed in room conditions. The following types of palms are most suitable for this: Canary date, capitate butia, sabal palmetto, low (squat) cameraops, thread-bearing washingtonia, Fortune's trachycarpus.
Canarian date
The Latin name is Phoenix canariensis Chahand. This plant is dioecious, evergreen. It develops like a tree, but more like a large wide bush 10-20 m tall, with a massive, unbranched false trunk, covered with the bases of old leaves.
V open field on the Black Sea coast, the palm tree reaches a height of 12-15 m. The leaves are large, up to 4 m. There are sharp needle-like spines along the edges of the leaf petiole.
This palm tree blooms in summer and autumn. Male inflorescences up to 2 m long, female inflorescences shorter. The fruit is ovoid, yellowish-brown, 2.5 cm long, with rough pulp, inedible. Propagated by seeds.
Date finger edible
The Canarian date should not be confused with the edible date, the palmate date (Phoenix dactylifera). Unfortunately, the seeds extracted from the fruits of an edible date germinate poorly - after all, before the dates get to the consumer, they significantly lose their germination capacity. In addition, the temperature required for germination, 20-25 ° C, can only be maintained in greenhouses and greenhouses.
The city of Basra in southern Iraq is considered the world capital of edible dates. 420 varieties of this species are concentrated here. Arabic wisdom says that "the palm tree should stand in the water with its base, and drown in the hot rays of the sun with its top."
The date palm is a dioecious plant. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks hung several male panicles inside the crowns, pouring out pollen, since without artificial insemination, female specimens are fruitless.
Butia capitate
The Latin name is Butia capitata. This type of palm is native to Brazil. It grows in mountainous areas on sandy soils. The butia trunk has a characteristic capitate thickening at the base, gradually tapering upwards.
The emergence of new leaves begins in April and continues until the end of September. During the growing season, from 4 to 9 leaves are formed, and each lives up to 7 years.
The palm tree is beautiful with its openwork crown, lush inflorescences and fruits.
In the open field of the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, butia begins flowering and fruiting from the age of 10-12. Rarely blooms indoors.
In butia, the seed is rounded oblong, pointed at the ends, up to 20 mm long and 10 mm wide, with three distinct sutures. In the lower part there are three rounded pores, closed with loose corked tissue - this is the place where the embryo exits.
Seeds contain about 60% liquid coconut oil. Butia fruits are used for eating raw and for making jams and liqueurs.
Before germinating butia seeds, it is recommended to carry out their long-term stratification in wet sand or peat. Mechanical stratification is possible - sawing of seed coats or careful destruction of corked tissue with a sharp metal object.
Freshly harvested seeds germinate after stratification within 35-45 days. In some cases, the process can take up to 24 months.
Butia capitate is frost-resistant - it can withstand temperatures down to -10 ° C. Drought-resistant. Grows well in sandy soils.
At room conditions, butia requires regular watering, and in summer the plant must be fed with flower fertilizers once every two weeks. For it, you should use the soil mixture for palm trees, sold in stores.
Sabal palmetto
This type of palm (lat. Sabal palmetto) is native to North America. Its single trunk in the open ground reaches a height of 20 m. The leaves are fan-shaped.
Inflorescences up to 2 m long. The fruit is a black globular drupe.
On the Black Sea coast, sabal palmetto blooms and produces viable seeds that usually germinate within four months.
Stratification at 35° (about one month) shortens germination time. soaking in hot water(about 90°C), and especially the removal of the cap over the embryo also accelerates seed germination. At home, young, not yet opened, leaves are used as food as vegetables, they are called “palm cabbage!”
Chamerops squat
The botanical name of this palm species is Chamaerops humilis. Came to Europe from Africa. Cultivated in greenhouses for over 300 years. This is a bushy palm tree with several trunks 2-3 m high, growing from a common base. In the Sochi arboretum of the Research Institute of Gorlesecology there are specimens with 7-10 or more trunks in a bush.
The palm grows slowly. During the summer it forms up to 7 leaves, which usually live for 7 years. Blooms in May-June. The fruit is a drupe, ripens in November-December.
The palm tree is drought-resistant, undemanding to the soil. Propagated by seeds.
Seeds in the pulp of the fruit do not germinate. After removing the pulp, they germinate within 2 months at room temperature. Removing the cap causes accelerated germination of seeds in 11 days.
Washingtonia filamentous or filamentous
The Latin name is Washingtonia filifera. She is native to southwestern North America. This is a very beautiful fan palm. The trunk in the homeland reaches a height of 30 m. The leaves are fan-shaped with delicate thin threads hanging between the leaf segments.
Inflorescences are compound. The flowers are bisexual with a strong smell. The fruit is an indehiscent drupe.
On the Black Sea coast, it blooms and bears fruit abundantly, the fruits ripen in December. This is one of the fastest growing palm trees.
Easily propagated by seeds. Germination 80-90%. At a temperature of 35 ° C in greenhouse conditions, seedlings appear on the seventh day. V normal conditions- within a month.
This type of palm tree will look good in spacious rooms - halls, offices, greenhouses. Care is simple, but there is one feature - in winter it will feel more comfortable in cool conditions. If you cannot maintain the temperature in the room no higher than 20 ° C (preferably 15-18 ° C), then the dishes with the plant should be kept in a pan with water and sprayed daily. At high room temperatures and dry air, it can shed its leaves.
Seeds remain viable for up to 5 years.
Trachycarpus Fortune
This type of palm (lat. Trachycarpus fortunei) in its homeland, in China, Burma, Japan, grows up to 10 m. At the top of the trunk it forms a bunch of fan-shaped leaves, the petioles of which reach a length of 0.5 to 1.5 m. The flowers are unisexual, dioecious , collected in large paniculate inflorescences. The fruit is a drupe. Abundantly fructifies from 20 years. Blossoms in May, fruits ripen in December-January.
It is the most hardy of all fan palms.
It is undemanding to the soil. Easily propagated by seeds. Seeds germinate within a month.
Young plants at room conditions are recommended to be transferred once a year to larger pots. This accelerates their growth and makes it possible to remove rotten and dried parts of the root. All transplanting work must be carried out in the spring, at the beginning of the growing season.
Trachycarpus Fortune tolerates transplantation well in adulthood.
In many places on the Black Sea coast, it gives abundant self-seeding and runs wild.
Somehow, while living in Krabi, we saw strange fruits on palm trees several times a day, which are not eaten. We even lived in a house in Krabi, which stood in a palm grove, and grew up there, as we later figured out the oil palm!
Oil palm grove
By the way, while we were wintering in Thailand, we saw a lot of plants and their fruits, edible and not so much. In large supermarkets such as MAKRO, TESCO, BIG-C you can find absolutely everything, well, or 99% of the necessary, familiar products, because these stores are created specifically for farangs.
So, Firstly we knew that there are date palms (since Egypt). As well as coconuts, which are full in Thailand, from them I myself extracted coconuts :). Well, and low banana palms, the fruits and even the leaves of which are used for cooking.
Secondly, it seems that everything that can be eaten from the vegetation of Tai was sold at local markets, and we tried a lot of fruits. However, the fruits of the oil palm were unknown to us and did not look like anything.
Thirdly, there were so many oil palm plantations in Krabi that I could not help but be interested in them. The fruits were an interesting orange-red color, protected by thorns that looked a lot like porcupines. As a normal curious person, I had to figure it out!
As a result, we were lucky to see the cut fruits of the oil palm tree up close, in one of the palm groves, when we returned from MAKRO by a short road. I even tried to break off the fruit to see how it looks from the inside, but it turned out to be so dense, and the spikes are so sharp and strong that I can’t imagine how the Thais cope with them.
Unripe oil palm fruit
You will not envy the oil palm fruit picker, each branch is very heavy and prickly, grows to the trunk of the palm tree where it cannot be cut off, it must be cut down.
On the Internet, I found (not the first time, of course) various palm fruits, and determined that it was oil palms that surrounded us. But why are there so many?
It turned out that this is part of agriculture in Southeast Asia, in the countries of Africa and Latin America.
The first palm plantation appeared in Malaysia, and along with rubber, oil, gas; oil, from the fruit of the oil palm, is one of the articles of Indonesian and Malaysian exports. Therefore, we saw such an abundance of these palms in Krabi (this city is located on the border with Malaysia), in other regions of Thailand there are more coconut palms.
There are 2 types of oil: palm oil proper and palm kernel oil. The first is a rather thick red-orange mass obtained by squeezing the fleshy fruits and further cleaning. Oil of the second type, with a characteristic smell and taste of nuts, is made from palm seeds.
Tropical oils are widely used in confectionery and cooking, as well as in the production of margarine. Palm oil sachets are placed in packages with Doshirak noodles, for example, which I used while still a student. It is also used for frying chips and, in some tropical countries, for salad dressing.
Sweet juice is obtained from incisions in the petioles of inflorescences, and they drink it in fresh and also used to produce alcoholic beverages. From one plant you can get about 4 liters of juice per day.
Palm oil also makes good soap, high-quality candles, is used in medicine as a basis for ointments, and, perhaps, the most important thing ...
There are cars that run on this fuel. However, this is not the same gasohol (91st gasoline biofuel), which is obtained by diluting 91st gasoline with ethanol, which is much cheaper in Thailand. At every gas station you will find both standard gasoline (91, 95, 98 octane) and gasohol!
Palm oil has been known since ancient times. Archaeologists have discovered some ancient finds that undeniably indicate that Palm oil used in cooking around the third millennium BC. e. At that time, palm oil was mined only on the African continent. And only in the 18th century sailors from Europe brought palm oil to us. And along with the oil, palm trees themselves began to actively spread, serving as raw materials for oil. At first they were bred for beauty, as they were quite unpretentious and looked very attractive thanks to huge clusters of palm fruits. But over time, they began to produce palm oil in the countries of Southeast Asia. Now in the modern world, it is Asian countries that are the main producers and exporters of palm oil.
For a more detailed view, search the pictures for "oil palm fruits".
Also watch a video about our palm grove in Krabi, where oil palms grew:
Fountain of Youth in Brazil. Pearl of the Amazon. Acai. What is the connection? All these are the names of one. It is included in the traditional menu of the Indians.
Europeans paid attention to Acai only in 2004. The diet of natives of the Amazon tropics was studied.
Found an unknown berry on the menu. Isn’t it the reason for the absence of skin diseases among the Indians, including cancer, the doctors thought.
From the point of view of scientists, round-the-clock exposure to the sun should have had a negative impact on the integument.
However, the natives are fit, almost wrinkle-free, healthy. Acai berries taken to the laboratory.
Soon, a volume by Nicholas Pericone appeared on the bookshelves. The publication featured 10 best products nutrition. First up is Acai. What did scientists find in the fruits?
Description and features of acai berries
Asaya - berry dark purple color. This is the skin color. It is dense and shiny, similar to blueberry. In the center is a massive bone.
The flesh is light, somewhat reminiscent of grapes. Grapes and berries resemble the way they grow.
The fruits are collected in clusters, have a spherical shape, are slightly elongated.
Takova acai berry. Photo it is often made on palm trees. That's where the grapes grow. Acai, by the way, is the name of the tree.
The fruit has no name. They are simply called Acai berries, that is, palm trees of the genus Euterpe.
Acai palm is especially common in Brazil. Hence the nickname of the fruits of the fountain of youth of this country.
Trees reach 30 meters in height. At the ends of the trunks there are rosettes of 3-meter leaves.
Under them - acai berries. Buy a harvest from one palm tree means stocking up on 20-26 kilograms of fruit.
Taste acai berries ambiguous. Not everyone compares fruits with grapes. Someone has associations with raspberries.
There are those who feel the nut. To some, açai resembles dark chocolate bars. There are also opinions about brackish "notes".
In general, either the tastes of people are diametrically opposed, or the taste of berries is changeable. One thing is clear, fruits contain a record amount of antioxidants.
Before the discovery of Indian "grapes" by Europeans, red wine from ordinary wine was considered their storehouse. But, acai berry extract on antioxidants was 33 times more generous.
Acai - berry, benefit which is enclosed in anthocyanins. These are colored glycosides - carbohydrate-containing substances of organic origin.
Anthocyanins prevent the development of atherosclerosis. In the fruits of the Brazilian palm, glycosides, as well as antioxidants, have a record amount.
The most common anthocyanin is cyanidin. It is he who kills cancer cells.
Cyanidin is also found in raspberries, strawberries, black currants, and honeysuckle. However, in berries familiar to Europeans, it is ten times less than in acai.
A lot of acai and fatty acids. They lower cholesterol levels, eliminating diseases of the cardiovascular system.
The pressure normalizes, the ischemic disease recedes. Phytosterols, by the way, are the reason for the smooth skin of South American tribes who eat acai berries. Beneficial features fatty acids are largely reduced to the rejuvenation of the integument.
Acai berries, properties of which is discussed, vegetable fruits. This indicates the presence of fiber in them.
Of course, there are a lot of them in other fruits and vegetables. Along with them, the fruits of the Brazilian palm tree improve digestion, the activity of the gastrointestinal tract.
From the characteristics of the berries of the Brazilian palm "follow" the scope of their application. It is easy to guess that this is dietology, cosmetology, medicine. However, it is more interesting to know the particulars. Let's start with them.
Application of acai berries
In dietology, fruits are used not only to remove toxins, to facilitate digestion. Acai berries for weight loss- this is the main request of millions of inhabitants of the Earth.
By the way, according to most reviews of people who have tried acai berries, best price and the quality of the product is this store.
The action of the product is based on the breakdown of decay products. Antioxidants from berries capture toxins.
Food begins to be better absorbed, digested faster. Bottom line: - increase in metabolic rate and decrease in the rate of weight gain.
For weight loss, you can take acai berries v pharmacy. There, the fruits are sold in the form of an extract or capsules. But, it is better to take fresh berries and add to food.
Acai has become a dessert classic. The fruits harmoniously "fit" into ice cream, pastries, cocktails, especially milkshakes.
Interestingly, berries are close to milk in terms of protein content. It is, of course, vegetable.
However, this does not prevent the body from absorbing it. It turns out that in nutrition, acai is an alternative to legumes for those who have chosen vegetarianism.
Now, to cosmetology. Mask With acai berries, or cream With acai berries- anti-aging agents.
The role of phytosterols in the fruits of the Brazilian palm has already been discussed. But, antioxidants are also good for the skin. Wrinkles will not be removed, but they will improve the complexion.
A healthy skin tone will "reset" a few more years of age. Slagging of cells prevents them from dividing efficiently. Toxins will go away - the elasticity of the skin will be restored, which will “tighten” the oval of the face.
To prevent a young face from being out of harmony with the body, they use acai berry oil. This is a massage tool.
It is also possible to use oil instead of a caring cream after a shower. Spray bottles like those made by Johnson Baby are especially handy.
Made for the soul gel With acai berries. It is recommended to use it in conjunction with oil.
use acai berries and for hair. It is enough to look into the catalogs of many network distributors, for example, Oriflame or Avon booklets.
Luxury products were produced by Givenchy and Guerlain. Hair needs mainly trace elements and vitamins contained in fruits.
Calcium per 100 grams 345 milligrams, potassium - 715, magnesium - 174. Of the vitamins, hair is most sensitive to lack of A, E, C. Everything is in acai.
Vitamin A as much as 100 milligrams per 100 grams of the product. E and C - about 3 milligrams.
With such nourishment, the hair becomes strong, silky, the cross-section and the problem of hair loss disappear.
Acai berries - price
According to the beneficial properties of acai, they are compared with goji berries. The latter are promoted by Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Mick Jagger.
However, the homeland of goji is no longer America, but China. Apparently, therefore, for the Russians, the option from China is more profitable.
Kilo costs around 1,500-2,000 rubles. As for acai, for 300 grams you will pay at least 900 rubles.
At the same time, you will get whole, albeit dried Goji berries. Acai They will come in powder or capsule form. The latter are even more expensive.
Transportation of fresh fruits is not possible. Acai berries are tender, lose their properties, begin to deteriorate within a day after harvest.
Therefore, the processing of fruits is justified. However, you need to trust the supplier. Where is the guarantee that third-party components were not mixed into the powder.
Where is the guarantee that in the package received there is at least something from the berries of the Brazilian palm tree? The best option is frozen mashed potatoes.
For 200 grams, give 400-800 rubles. If you have ever tried fresh berries, you will recognize them in grated form.
Puree is an ideal component for cocktails. Freezing preserves up to 95% of the nutrients of fresh acai. The only problem is that mashed potatoes are not supplied to all cities of Russia.
To be fair, let's list the famous acai fans. The most zealous of them is Oprah Winfrey.
Victoria Beckham also chooses acai instead of goji. Of course, the husband of the star, David Beckham, did not stand aside.
Acai berries - reviews
Acai is called superfoot, that is, superfood. However, the berry is not a panacea.
Scientists fend off the angry reviews of people who have tried acai several times and did not find it useful.
Experts notice that the effect of superfoot is noticeable only after a year of its constant use in food.
Once fresh berries not in the country, it is worth including mashed potatoes and powders in the daily diet, adding them to desserts, drinks, and some types of soups.
It is necessary to take into account the individual reaction of the body. Recall the catchphrase: - "What is allowed to Jupiter, it is not allowed to the bull." Berry overseas.
The body may not accept it. So, on one of the Internet sites, the user Shootka Sep writes: - “Categorically did not go.
Nausea began, appetite increased, heartburn appeared. I note that before that I had no problems with the gastrointestinal tract. ”
Shootka Sep purchased acai extract capsules. About the same product, a certain Jun said: “Indeed, the appetite has decreased, the kilo is slowly crawling down.”
So, if you don’t try, you won’t understand whether you are Jupiter or a bull. The stomach of a European is not always happy with overseas delights, even if they are praised all over the world. So, if you still decide to try, then you here.
Oddly enough, but not all people can answer the question of what grows on a palm tree correctly. Some believe that they can grow not only dates and coconuts, but also bananas and pineapples, which is quite incredible.
Types of palm plants
Palm is a southern woody plant that grows exclusively in tropical and subtropical climates. The Palm family belongs to flowering plants and has about 185 genera and 3400 species. There are especially many of these plants in the zones of Southeast Asia and in the tropical countries of South America.
In colder regions, palm representatives can be seen in the Mediterranean and North Africa, Crete, Japan and China, northern Australia, etc.
Palm trees can be found in completely different places, from the sea coast to the slopes of the highlands, near swamps and forests, as well as in hot desert oases. However, most of all they prefer humid and shady areas with a tropical climate, forming continuous thickets. Palm trees are also widespread in the African savannas, where they easily tolerate drought and hot winds.
Forms and structural features of palm trees
Palm trees are distinguished by a wide variety of growth forms:
- tree-like: Cuban, royal, corypha umbrella-bearing; washingtonia thread-bearing; barrigona, Theban hyphena (dum-palm);
- shrub-like: lanceolate chamedorea, acelorafa;
- stemless: shrub palmetto, Wallich herring, creeping serenoa;
- climbing vines: calamus.
The original structural features of palm trees are that the plant does not have the usual botanical elements, such as a trunk and branches:
- Its "trunk" is formed from the remains of obsolete leaves, which harden and form a column; it can only grow upwards, but not in width, and this process is quite long (1 m grows in 10 years);
- the roots at the base form a bulb, from which small roots extend;
- nutritious juices circulate only in the center of the "trunk", due to which palm trees are considered refractory;
- due to the ability to re-sprout leaves from its own trunk, this plant is called the "phoenix tree".
Among palm trees there are mono- and dioecious plants, in the second option there are male plants that pollinate females, respectively, fruits are only on the latter. In nature, pollination occurs with the help of wind, and in cultural plantings, people do it manually. Fruit ripening lasts about 200 days.
palm tree fruits
Palm is one of the most useful plants for a person, because many of its varieties give very tasty and even medicinal fruits: dates, coconuts, etc. They make flour, butter, alcoholic drinks, also in industrial scale fibers are made from which bags and other textile products are made.
The most useful fruits for humans that grow on a palm tree are dates and coconuts.
A date is a cylindrical berry with a thin peel, its average weight is 7 g, of which 2 g falls on the bone. The sugar content in it reaches 70%, calorie content - 30 kcal / piece. 10 dates per day provide the daily requirement of the human body for magnesium, sulfur, copper, iron and a quarter of calcium.
From coconut many tasty and useful components are extracted:
- juice or water - a clear liquid, the endosperm of a coconut, contained inside the fruit, as it ripens, it mixes with oil and hardens;
- coconut milk - obtained after squeezing grated copra, it is white and quite fatty, after adding sugar it is very tasty;
- oil - extracted from coconut copra, is valuable product, due to the high content of fatty acids, is used in cosmetics and treatment.
Coconut palm
It is not for nothing that this plant is called the “tree of life” in the tropics, because the locals use almost all of its parts for food and the manufacture of various products, leaves and wood are used in construction.
However, for unlucky people, this palm tree can become a “tree of death”, because according to statistics, 150 people die every year from hitting such nuts on the head. The weight of an average coconut is about 1-3 kg, so even if it falls on the roof of a car, it leaves a dent, and it is deadly for the head.
Coconut palm fruits grow in groups of 15-20 pieces. and mature in 8-10 months. Fruiting in trees lasts up to 50 years, during this period each palm tree brings 60-120 nuts annually.
Outside, the coconut is covered with a hard shell, inside there is pulp and liquid, which becomes sweet as the fruit ripens. You can clean it with a knife or machete.
Date palm
Date palms have been cultivated in Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) since the 4th century BC. e. The tree bears fruit for 60-80 years, and can live up to 150.
There are legends about the benefits and calorie content of date palm fruits. So, the Arabs believe that every warrior can live in the desert for 3 days, eating 1 date, eating first the pulp, then the skin, on the 3rd day - the crushed bone. Regular consumption of these fruits in food reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, slows down the aging process.
One of the resorts of Elche in Spain is famous for its park date palms(since 2000 the park has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), of which about 300 thousand are planted here, the date harvest is regularly harvested here.
roystone palm
royal palm ( Roystonea) - has a chic look corresponding to the name, standing out from its surroundings and landscape. The height of the tree can reach 40 m, the trunk is smooth gray color, at its top is a crown of huge feathery leaves up to 8 m long, 2 m wide. The plant is monoecious: male and female flowers are located on the same tree below the crown.
Roystone has 17 species, distributed in the southern states of the United States, in Central and South America, in the West Indies. The most popular species is the Cuban palm ( Roystonea regia) and the royal vegetable palm, from which the edible juicy apical buds are harvested, called "palm cabbage".
Roystones are planted as a decorative ornament along the boulevards and avenues in the cities of the tropical region, along the edge of the beaches, they are often used for decoration in landscape design.
Everything that grows on the Roystone palm is successfully used by man: the trunks are used in construction, the leaves and fibers are used to make roofing and wickerwork, the fruits are eaten with pleasure by livestock, and palm oil is produced from seeds.
Bismarckia noble
Rod Bismarck ( Bismarckia nobilis) includes the only species that is also called the Bismarck palm, named after the 1st chancellor of Germany. This drought-resistant tree is distinguished by its original appearance and color, widespread on the island of Madagascar.
The petioles grow from a single grey-yellow-brown trunk, which has ringed indentations (45 to 80 cm in diameter at the base). In nature, palm trees grow up to 12-25 m tall. Beautiful silver-blue rounded leaves reach 3 m, dividing into segments at the ends. Petioles are 2-3 m long, protected by spikes and covered with white wax.
The plant is dioecious, flowers grow on dark purple stems, fruits are brown ovoid up to 48 cm in length, inside there is a drupe with one seed. Bismarckia leaves are used to make roofing and wickerwork, and sago with a bitter aftertaste is prepared from the core.
Such a palm tree can be successfully grown at home, it looks spectacular in the interior and is unpretentious in care.
Decorative and indoor palm trees
For lovers of exotic plants, palm trees are great, because growing them at home does not present any difficulties in caring for them. In the countries of the European region and Russia, decorative palm trees take root best in winter gardens and greenhouses, where they can create a suitable microclimate, because the plant is still southern and thermophilic.
The plant propagates by seeds, which can be found in specialized flower shops. The most common species that can be grown in apartments and houses:
- Date palm, often grown from seed, at home it can grow up to 2 m, forming a lush crown over a shaggy trunk.
- Dracaena has been used for several 10 years in landscaping houses and apartments, propagated by seeds and cuttings, the leaves have a light or dark green color, less often striped, and can form several trunks.
- Areca - has a flexible trunk, decorated with meter-long feathery leaves.
- Trachycarpus is a decorative species of palm trees with an original bottle-shaped trunk and fan leaves, blooms with white and yellow flowers with a pleasant smell, blue-black fruits.
- Hovea Foster is a popular species, easy to care for, little susceptible to attack by pests and diseases, leaves are dark green, etc.
Palm tree care in an apartment
The most important rule when growing an ornamental palm tree at home is to create high humidity and proper lighting. With dry air in the apartment due to winter heating, the plants must be sprayed frequently and watered with distilled or filtered water: in the summer months - 2-3 times a week, in the winter - daily.
Every year, a young palm tree needs to be replanted, picking up a more spacious pot, older trees less often. Plants and their roots are afraid of drafts, so tubs are not recommended to be placed on a windowsill or floor. Many types of palm trees cannot stand direct sunlight, preferring bright and diffused lighting.
However, at home, all plants only bloom, and the rare fruit that sets never ripens. Thus, it will not be possible to find out what grows on a palm tree, but an exotic green beauty in a tub in the middle of the house will create a cozy tropical corner and a positive emotional atmosphere.
Acai berries are the fruits of the Euterpe palm and are often used in the treatment of viral diseases and ailments of the cardiovascular system. Moreover, their use allows you to strengthen the protective properties of the body and slow down the aging process of the skin. Of course, one cannot lose sight of possible harm from the berry, which you can also learn about further.
What are these fruits?
Euterpe, Acai or Cabbage Palm is a genus of tropical palms that grow in South and Central America. They are tall plants (about 30 m), which have a tree shape, smooth and thin trunks. The leaves are large and rich green, the flowers are white and collected in inflorescences, but the fruits are round and dark purple, resembling large bunches of grapes. They have a bone inside.Acai berries are edible and have a slight tart taste, at the same time reminiscent of chokeberry, blueberry, chocolate and walnut. Each bunch can contain up to 5 kg of small fruits. During the year, the tree gives 2 crops. As a rule, a young palm gives up to 8 kg of berries. The product itself is in high demand in the Brazilian market.
Composition and nutritional value
Acai berries contain a real bouquet of nutrients:- vitamins: A, groups B, C, D, K, E;
- trace elements: aluminum, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sodium, copper, zinc, iron, chlorine, iodine, etc.;
- non-replaceable and partially replaceable amino acids: arginine, valine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan and phenylalanine;
- replaceable amino acids: alanine, aspartic and glutamic acid, glycine, proline, serine, tyrosine, cysteine;
- fatty acids: omega-3, omega-9;
- vegetable glycosides: anthocyanins, which give the berries the appropriate color and antioxidant properties.
- proteins - 3.8%;
- carbohydrates - 36.6%;
- fats - 0.5%;
- calorie content - 247 kcal.
What are the benefits of berries?
Acai berries have a number of useful characteristics, each of which is worth considering separately:- Strengthen cardiovascular system . Thanks to the content a large number Antioxidants fruits prevent damage to the heart muscle, help lower blood cholesterol levels and improve blood circulation. Moreover, they are effective tool fight against vascular plaques, because they contain beta-sitosterol, oleic and linoleic acids, which reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol, increasing the concentration of "good".
- They have an antitumor effect. The berries contain vitamin C and plant antioxidants - components that have anti-cancer properties. Scientists from Florida conducted a series of studies, the results of which were published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. According to these data, acai fruits provoke the self-destruction of cancers in 86% of cases.
- Enhance visual acuity and maintain eye health. Due to the content of anthocyanins and the same vitamin C, berries prevent the development of glaucoma, night blindness and macular degeneration. They are especially useful for diabetics, who often suffer from vision problems, including retinopathy, which can lead to complete loss of vision. Read more about how to improve eyesight at home -.
- Support. Amino acids, vitamins and fatty acids contained in berries activate the production of serotonin and dopamine. These are neurotransmitters that are responsible for restful and sound sleep. They also help to relax the muscles of the body, which is necessary for a really high-quality rest.
- Increase sex drive. "Tropical Viagra" is another name for palm berries. From scientific studies it follows that they have an aphrodisiac effect and increase sexual stamina. According to doctors, this is due to the fact that the fruits activate brain activity and affect the concentration of sex hormones in the body.
- Have cosmetic properties. Manufacturers cosmetics often include acai berries in skin care creams and lotions. The fact is that the external use of berry extract helps to strengthen skin immunity, so the skin becomes smooth and clean (without rashes). In addition, it helps to prevent early wrinkles and age spots. Berry extracts are also included in shampoos and hair balms, as they help to strengthen them and give them a healthy shine.
- Promote weight loss. Berries help to normalize the content of hormones in the body and speed up the metabolism, which will also improve the functioning of the digestive organs, namely: it will help prevent constipation and bloating. All this contributes to weight loss, since the food will be processed, and not accumulate in the body as body fat. Additionally, this will help strengthen the reproductive system, since extra fat in the body can interfere with normal ovulation.
Tropical fruits can be included in your diet by pregnant women, as they will saturate both the woman's body and the fetus with useful elements. Moreover, the plant antioxidants contained in them will prevent embryo mutations.
In general, acai berries help strengthen the immune system, improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract by accelerating metabolism, and prevent the development of diabetes enhance brain function and nervous system, give energy, increase the endurance of the body and slow down the aging process.
Possible harm and contraindications
Acai berries can cause harm to the human body if they are abused. Side effects may be as follows:- Weight gain. Berries are quite high in calories - more than 200 kcal per 100 g. In the case of their uncontrolled eating, you can not only contribute to weight loss, but even gain extra pounds due to a significant increase in daily calorie content. Obesity is also promoted by a sharp increase in blood glucose levels, which occurs after excessive eating of berries.
- Hypervitaminosis. Many people take dietary supplements (BAA) based on acai. If you still drink vitamins at the same time, you can provoke an overdose of vitamin C. To prevent this, it is recommended to take antioxidants at intervals of 2 weeks, after consulting with a nutritionist about the use of certain exotic foods.
- Violation of the nervous system, heart, kidneys and liver. In case of increased consumption of tropical berries, an excess amount of protein will enter the body, which will cause malfunctions in the nervous system and internal organs.
- Failure of acid-base balance. This will also be due to the increased intake of protein in the body.
Acai berries do not have separate contraindications, but you need to understand that this is an exotic tropical product that can cause allergies. So, in order to track the reaction of your body to the fruits and establish the fact of individual intolerance, they must be introduced into the diet in small portions and gradually. This is especially true for pregnant women.
Healthy recipes with acai berries
In cooking, the fruits of the American palm tree are used in the preparation of ice cream, pastries, sauces, various diet meals and drinks. With some diet recipes can be found below:- banana smoothie. It is required to receive 4 tsp. freeze-dried pulp of berries, for which you can grind dry acai berries in a coffee grinder or purchase them in capsules. Sprinkle 1 with this powder in a blender, and then pour in 1 glass of milk and add 1 tsp. honey or 1 tbsp. l. any sweet syrup. Grind everything in a blender, pour into a glass, garnish with a mint leaf and serve. If desired, nuts or dried fruits can be added to the drink.
- Ice cream. Peel 2 bananas, cut into slices, put in a bag and send to the freezer for 3-4 hours. Soak 4-5 pieces of large pitted prunes for 30 minutes in cold water. Squeeze the swollen dried fruits to remove excess liquid, chop in a blender and combine with a frozen banana. Grind everything again and add the remaining ingredients, namely: 1 tbsp. l. acai and cocoa powder, 3 tbsp. l. any syrup, 0.5 tsp. lemon juice, crushed vanilla pod or 1 sachet vanilla sugar, salt on the tip of a knife. Then beat the mixture again in a blender. Put the resulting mass into an enameled bowl, put in the freezer and stir every 20 minutes until cooked, which is necessary for a uniform dessert consistency.
- Porridge for breakfast. At night 2 tbsp. l. "Hercules" pour 3 tbsp. l. cold water. In the morning, add 2 tsp to softened oatmeal. acai powder, 1 tsp. honey and one grated apple. Mix everything and have breakfast.
Acai berries are not a magic weight loss pill. They will contribute to weight loss only when consumed in moderation as part of a balanced diet and exercise.
Video: acai - benefits and applications
In the following video, you will learn why acai berries have become very popular, what are their benefits, and how they can be used:Acai berries are exotic fruits American palm. When used in moderation, they have a positive effect on the body, including strengthening the cardiovascular system, normalizing metabolism, strengthening visual acuity, and have a good effect on skin and hair health. At the same time, it is important to control their portions, otherwise you can provoke allergies and other negative reactions.
