University of Florida Plant Information Pejibaye (Peach Palm) Growing in the Florida Home Landscape
HS1072
Scientific Name: Bactris gasipaes
Common Names: pejibaye and peach palm (English), pejivalle, piva, cachipay, bobi, cachipaes, chontaduro (Spanish), popunha (Brazilan, Portuguese)
Family: Palmae or Arecaceae
Related Species: maraja palm (Bactris maraja), tobago cane (B. guineeneses), and Colombian palm (B. major).
Origin: Pejibaye in the Amazonian regions of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil but has become naturalized throughout Central America.
Distribution: Pejibaye is found throughout the tropical world.
History: Pejibaye was introduced into the US in 1920, the Philippines in 1924, and India during the 1970s.
Importance: Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, and Brazil grow pejibaye commercially. Cost Rica is the leading exporter of heart of palm.