Knowledge and uses of Arecaceae in Brazil: a systematic review

Palms are a group of plants that have significant socioecological influence. In Brazil, around 89 genera and 393 species are described, distributed throughout the country. Academic studies highlight how different traditional peoples and communities manage and utilize these plants. Thus, this review aims to address the following questions: a) an overview of the academic production on the use of palms in Brazil over the past three decades; b) the geographical distribution of the studies; c) the species most frequently cited for their uses; d) the importance of ethnotaxonomy, considering the influence of morphological characteristics; e) the most commonly used parts of palms and the main categories of use. By combining the keywords "Palms," "Traditional Use," "Ethnobotany," and "Brazil" in Google Scholar, approximately 74,100 results were found, which, after filtering, totaled 272 articles. The data reveal an increase in the number of ethnobotanical studies addressing palm use over the past fifteen years, mainly concentrated in the fields of Botany, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Multidisciplinary Research. Most publications are in national journals and address the topic partially. The studies report the use and management of approximately 109 palm species, of which 38 are endemic, two are naturalized, six are varieties, and one is a hybrid. The Northeast Region accounts for the highest number of studies, followed by the North Region. Regarding local and Indigenous nomenclature of these palms, it was observed that multiple species belonging to different genera are grouped under the same common names, indicating an overlap of denominations for distinct taxa. Fruits hold great importance, followed by leaves, seeds, and stipes. In Brazil, palms play a fundamental role both among local communities and within Indigenous territories, due to their abundance, ecological diversity, and their cultural, symbolic, and utilitarian value. They serve as an essential source of food, raw materials, traditional medicine, and ritual elements.