The plant. The aguaje (Mautitia flexuosa L. f.) is an Amazonian palm which grows naturally on flooded soils, forming dense gatherings called aguajales in Peru. It can reach a height of 35-40 m. Each tree has an average of 8 inflorescences per year and each inflorescence produces about 900 fruits. This palm is in the domestication process. A dwarf form, recently discovered, could permit the improvement of the methods of production. The fruit. The fruit is an ellipsoid oval-shaped drupe, covered by red or dark red-coloured cornea scales. It measures (5 to 7) cm long and (4 to 5) cm in diameter. The pulp has a high content of p-carotene (260 mg·100 g_1 of pulp). Marketing. Marketing is carried out for fruits coming from the natural environment. There is a local consumption of approximately 150 t·month-1 and it can be of raw or processed fruit. For this fruit's demand, it is necessary to cut down approximately 24 000 palms a year. Discussion. The aguaje has big social and economical importance to these regions' inhabitants. It represents great potential for the national as well as the international market. The Research Institute of the Peruvian Amazon (IIAP) is developing technologies for agronomical management of the species, and for production and processing of the fruit. Studies on aguaje growth and genetic diversity in the natural conditions also have to be carried out. © 2007 Cirad/EDP Sciences. All rights reserved.