grows in are well-draining oxisols which are dark red or purple near the larger watercourses. Reproduction Plants may flower at a very young age. From year to year the flowering can be erratic, with some years having few trees flowering. According to Pablo Viany Prieto in his report for the Centro Nacional de Conservação da Flora it fruits throughout the year, and according to Martins in her doctoral thesis it has been collected flowering in November and fruiting in February, August and November. The plants have protandrous dichogamy, this is because the male flowers, located at the end of the rachillae flower first, with the female flowers in the centre of the inflorescence flowering after the male ones senesce, thus promoting outcrossing. Female floral anthesis shows no correlation with climate, although significant differences exist between sites. Fruiting begins in June with immature fruit, with fruiting occurring during the cool, dry season. Usually, several immature fruits are aborted and dropped before maturation. Maturation occurs in August, and the fruit can remain on the infructescence until dispersion from September to January. In a natural population, approximately 30% to 50% of the individuals bear ripe fruit, although many more bore infructescences with immature fruit. The age structure of the extant population shows a pattern of periods of high germination success alternated with longer periods of low fecundity. Interspecies relationships Hemi-epiphytic figs may grow on the trunks. Uses In its native palm groves near Jataí the fruit is harvested and gathered from the wild, commonly for use to make locally consumed juices. A liquor is also made from them in some areas by soaking the fruit in spirits or white rum. The leaves are harvested for use in making brooms, in many areas likely beyond sustainable levels. Leaves are only harvested from mature specimens with trunks. Among the Kalunga of the village of Engenho II in Cavalcante, Goiás, one person has used the leaves as incense in semi-Catholic rituals. Horticulture It can be used as an ornamental. Seeds have been commercially available from speciality vendors since at least 2004. In Brazil, fully grown specimens are available from nurseries. It is advised to plant the palms in full sunlight. Plants are very slow growing. They are drought and wind resistant. It is likely not hardy. It is said to take 0 °C, but should be protected at 10 °C in the Netherlands. Kembrey claims it