The
açaí palm (,
from Tupi-Guarani asaí;
Euterpe oleracea) is a species of
palm tree in the genus
Euterpe cultivated for its fruit and
hearts of palm. Its name comes from the
Brazilian Portuguese adaptation of the
Tupian word
ïwaca'i, '[fruit that] cries or expels water'. Global demand for the fruit has expanded rapidly in recent years, and açaí is now cultivated for that purpose primarily.
Euterpe edulis (juçara) is a closely related species which is now the primary source of
hearts of palm.