Guilielma Gasipaes

Bailey.

Peach palm (E); Chontadura (C); Gea (Ch); Ico (Cu); Mantiene-moza (C); Nalu (Cu); Pejibaje (P); Pichiguao (C); Pisba (P); Tenga (C); Urre ; Gea . The fruits are popular all over Panama, cooked with salt. The Choco do not cook it with salt because they believe this will make the fruits on the tree fall off green (!). Yurumanqui Indians obtain salt by cooking the spadix. The fruit has about twice as much protein as plantains, manioc, or potatoes, and is abundant from September through December. The hard wood is used for making bows and arrows. the Borucas make fire with a stick of this on a block of Guazuma. Needles are used in primitive tatooing elsewhere. The cabbage is also quite edible. Guaymis fell the tree in the waning moon, let it lie three days, then take the heart for the preparation of ferments. It is also good for making sweet chichas. The flowers are said to be edible, having the flavor of cauliflower. The seeds are also edible. Salaqui Choco, during their first menses, are not supposed to eat this fruit, or any toothed animal, in the belief it will cause boils and pimples. It is a daily entry among the Choco, especially from January through April. The seeds are planted and trees will bear fruit in 7 years. The fruits and terminal buds are eaten, and the fruits are used to make a beer. Shrimp and catfish are caught in Colombian catangas baited with peach palm fruits or corn.