Parajubaea Burret Original reference: Notizbl. Bot. Gart. Berlin-Dahlem 11: 48 (1930) Morphology: Large, monoecious palms. Stem solitary, tall, grey and smooth, usually thickened in the middle. Leaves pinnate, regularly divided, often with the axis twisting towards the apex so that the distal part of the blade stands vertically; sheath open, lined with mats of brown fibres; pinnae regularly inserted in one plane, narrow. Inflorescence interfoliar, once branched. Flowers unisexual, borne in groups of one female and two males, or distally on the inflorescence branches in pairs of male flowers. Male flowers with 3 free sepals, 3 free petals, 6 stamens, and a small pistillode. Female flowers with 3 free, broadly ovelapping sepals, 3 similar petals, a low staminodial ring, and 3 united carpels. Inflorescence once branched, with one prophyll and one peduncular bract. Fruits large, ellipsoid, with a bony endocarp with three basal germination pores. Seedling leaves entire. . Distribution and diversity: A genus of three species. One is planted in the inter-Andean valleys of S Colombia and Ecuador, the other two are native to the Andes of Bolivia.

Habit of Parajubaea cocoides Photo: H. B. Pedersen Palms of Ecuador Home Parajubaea cocoides