Ceroxylon vogelianum (Engel) H.Wendl Original reference: In O.C.E.de Kerchove de Denterghem, Palmiers 239 (1878) Basionym: Klopstockia vogeliana Engel Morphology: Understorey or subcanopy palm. Stem solitary, to 10 m tall, ca. 10 cm in diameter, greenish grey, with dark leaf scars. Leaves 1-1.5 m long; pinnae 70-80 on each side, inserted in groups and spreading in different planes, with pendulous distal half, the central ones 30-40 cm long, 20-25 mm wide, below with a thin, light grey to brown wax layer. Inflorescences curved, becoming pendulous in fruit, 120-160 cm long, branched 2 times. Male flowers with 6 stamens. Fruits globose, bluish green, often becoming dull orange just before dropping, slightly warty, 13-15 mm in diameter. Distribution: Venezuela to Bolivia in the Andes. Notes: Plants from S Ecuador, where the species is common, are relatively small compared to what is usual for the species Common names: Coco - Spanish (V.v.d. Eynden #597). Uses: The palm heart and the mesocarp are edible (V.v.d. Eynden #597). Synonym list (7) Specimen list

Photo: F. Borchsenius Palms of Ecuador Home Ceroxylon Image archive