Traditional Use of Palms (Arecaceae) in the Atlantic Forest in Southern Santa Catarina, Brazil

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the extraction process of palm species (Arecaceae) and their different forms of use by the population in the surroundings of the “Parque Estadual da Serra Furada” (PAESF), located in the south region of Santa Catarina state, as well as understand the perception of the interviewees about the park. The data were obtained through interviews with long-time residents of the area. The results were analyzed by content analysis. Four palm species were cited by the interviewees: Bactris setosa Mart., Euterpe edulis Mart., Geonoma gamiova Barb.Rodr., and Syagrus romanzoffiana (Cham.) Glassman. The most widespread uses of these palm species were for food and in construction. The leaves were the main part of the plant used, with emphasis to E. edulis. In general, the PAESF and its palms are important resources for the interviewees; however, today, knowledge remains mostly only in the memory of the residents.