 Common names in their native range are bacaba in Brazil, and palma milpesos (or just milpesos) in Spanish-speaking countries.These terms may also refer to the most well-known member of this genus, "O. bacaba", but more precise common names exist for that species.The fruit of "Oenocarpus" palms are food for various animals, such as the green aracari ("Pteroglossus viridis") for which "O. bacaba" fruit are a mainstay food.