Astrocaryum malybo
Local name: chingalé
The chingalé (Astrocaryum malybo) is a spiny palm species native to tropical South America, characterized by its distinctive feather-like fronds and trunk covered in sharp, black spines. This medium-sized palm produces clusters of orange to reddish fruits that serve as an important food source for various wildlife species including birds, mammals, and insects in its ecosystem.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Jhon Mario Florez Salazar, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Jhon Mario Florez Salazar
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Liliopsida
Order
Arecales
Family
Arecaceae
Genus
Astrocaryum
Astrocaryum malybo belongs to the family Arecaceae, order Arecales, within the Liliopsida class.
Species Profile
The chingalé (Astrocaryum malybo) is a spiny palm species native to tropical South America, characterized by its distinctive feather-like fronds and trunk covered in sharp, black spines. This medium-sized palm produces clusters of orange to reddish fruits that serve as an important food source for various wildlife species including birds, mammals, and insects in its ecosystem.
Astrocaryum malybo faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species is further threatened by over-harvesting of its fruits and palm hearts for local consumption and commercial use.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Chingalé thrives in humid lowland rainforests and gallery forests along riverbanks, typically found in areas with rich, well-drained soils and consistent moisture. The species also occurs in secondary forest edges and can tolerate some degree of canopy openness, though it requires protection from direct sunlight during early growth stages.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Astrocaryum malybo faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development in its limited range. The species is further threatened by over-harvesting of its fruits and palm hearts for local consumption and commercial use.
Habitat loss from agricultural conversion
Small population size and restricted range
Urban development and infrastructure expansion
Climate change impacts on coastal habitats
Over-harvesting of fruits and palm hearts
Community Sightings
Report a sightingNo community sightings yet. Be the first to report!
Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Astrocaryum malybo (Astrocaryum malybo). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/chingale