OBSERVATIONS: The apical part of the stem and the sheaths of the leaves contain starch consumed by the indigenous peoples of the Chaco (especially Ayoreo). Collected plants are held into the fire until the leaves are toasted. The young stolons are consumed without cooking (ARENAS & ARROYO 1988). The leaves contain fibers that are extracted beating the leaves. Then they are dried, weavered and converted into ropes, bags and other articles (ARENAS 1981).
This is a typical Gran Chaco species. It grows in dry forests on poorly drained and temporarily inundated soils, between 250 and 700 m, together with Stetsonia coryne (Cactaceae), Copernicia alba, Trithrinax schizophylla (Arecaceae), Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (Apocynaceae), and others.
