Welfia H.Wendl. Original reference: Gartenflora 18: 242 (1869) Morphology: Large, monoecious palms. Stem solitary, tall, smooth. Leaves pinnate, regularly divided; pinnae regularly inserted in one plane, with several prominent, secondary veins. Inflorescence interfoliar, once branched, with one prophyll and one peduncular bract; branches thick, 6- or 8-angled. Flowers unisexual, large, ca. 1-2 cm in diameter, horizontally depressed with only one symmetry plane, borne in groups of one female and two males, sunken into deep pits in the inflorescence branches covered by a depressed operculum that rolls back at anthesis. Male flowers with 3 sepals united at base, 3 similar petals, 30-45 stamens with united thecae, and a minute pistillode. Female flowers with 3 sepals briefly united at base, 3 petals, ca. 20 staminodes united at base, and 3 united carpels. Fruit medium sized or rarely large, almond shaped, black. Seedling leaves simple and bifid. Distribution and diversity: A genus of only one species, W. regia ranging from Central America to Ecuador along the pacific coast of South America. Notes: The genus is unique within the group of Geonomoid palms in the combination of large size, flower-pits with depressed operculum, and male flowers with free petals and numerous stamens with united thecae.

Habit of Welfia regia, nera Pto. Quito, W Ecuador Photo: AAU palm archive Palms of Ecuador Home Welfia regia