Arecastrum romanzoffianum
Family: Arecaceae
Syagrus romanzoffiana, commonly called Queen Palm or Jerivà, is a 30-50 feet tall palm native to the woodlands of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. It produces 1 inch bright orange fruit, referred to as "dates" and is adapted to survive freezes reaching as low as 17 degrees faharenheit. It is commonly used as an ornamental, but has grown to become an invasive species in some areas due to its resilience in the cold temperatures and ability to withstand drought. The dates are recorded to have been used as a food source by Polish migrants in Argentina and along Paraguay. The almonds contain up to 52% oil content, which make them also a favorable choice for later biodiesel development. Additionally, the pulp and the kernel have high fiber and antioxidant activity, also making Syagrus romanzoffiana a great possible medium for cost-effective commercial prebiotic production
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