The Elaeis oleifera tree, commonly known as the American oil palm, is the source of batana oil. It’s native to Central and South America rainforests, with Honduras being a particularly rich habitat for these trees.
Unlike its more widely known relative, the African oil palm, Elaeis oleifera produces nuts that are less commercially exploited as they hold cultural and practical value for the Miskito people.
These trees are characterized by tall, slender trunks and wide, feather-like fronds. They produce clusters of small, reddish-brown nuts, each encased in a hard shell. It’s these nuts that batana oil is extracted from, preserving the natural nutrients that make it so beneficial.
The Elaeis oleifera tree is rarely planted for commercial processing. Instead, they grow naturally in marshland, swamps, and other ecosystems found in nature. This limited source is what makes batana oil so sought after and in some cases, expensive. It’s worth every penny though.