Geonoma ferruginea

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. It has a cluster of stems. These can form large clumps. They are 1-4 m tall and the trunks are 2-2.5 cm wide. They are light brown. The leaf blade is 50-60 cm long and divided into 3 curved leaflets on each side. There can be 10-15 leaflets on each side. The flowering stalk is below the leaves and has 1-2 orders of branching. There are 4-13 branches. They are short and thick. They become red when the plant is fruiting. The fruit are round but slightly pointed at the tip and 6-7 mm wide. They are black.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in lower mountain forest between about 700-1400 m altitude.

Countries/locations it is found in

Central America, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Geonoma microspadix H. Wendl.; Geonoma microstachys H. Wendl. ex Burret; Geonoma versiformis H. Wendl. ex Spruce;