XVI International Botanical Congess

Palms trees are important resources for Peruvian Amazon dwellers. Astrocaryum (Arecaceae) is the third genus in importance, because of its species diversity. This study realized near Jenaro Herrera, Requena, Loreto on flooded forest called restingas", ravine forests (Copal, Ferrocaño), and in Puerto Maldonado, Madre de Dios. Ethnobotanic methodology and collection was employed to find out use six species called: chambira" (A. chambira), huiririrma" (A. jauari) y huicungo" (A. chonta, A. gratum, A. macrocalyx and A. javarense) and for determination and realized variability studies on floral morphology of species called huicungo". Cocama-Cocamilla dwellers from Jenaro Herrera use leaves (to make fiber, bags, hammocks, foliole to make fans and hats, raquis to make brooms), fruits (as food and for ornamentation purposes). Though, the great variability that exists in pistillate flowers of huicungo" species, we can say there are clear differences among them, such: the presence of stings in calyx, calyx and corolla shape, shape and texture of the staminodial ring.