Arecaceae FAMILY

Geonoma maxima

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Geonoma maxima is an evergreen palm growing 1 - 9 metres tall. The plant usually produces a cluster of erect, unbranched stems, though sometimes only a single stem is produced; the stems can be 5 - 50mm in diameter, topped by a crown of 4 - 20 leaves that can be more than 0.5 - 2 metres long[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. , 773 Title A Revision of Geonoma (Arecaceae) Publication Phytotaxa 17: 1 - 271 Author Henderson A. Website http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ Publisher Magnolia Press Year 2011 ISBN 1179-3155 Description A treatment of the genus Geonoma, giving very detailed botanical descriptions and some information on habitat. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of salt and material for thatch.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - northern Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

HabitatUnderstorey of lowland rain forest, usually in soil that does not become seasonally inundated, but sometimes in areas subject to inundation; usually at elevations up to 500 metres, occasionally ascending to 1,300 metres[ 768 Title Field Guide to the Palms of the Americas Publication Author Henderson A.; Galeano G.; Bernal R. Publisher Princeton University Press; Princeton, New Jersey. Year 1995 ISBN 0-691-08537-4 Description An excellent book, giving basic information on all the 550 species of palms native to the Americas that were known in 1995. Comprehensive information on the plants range and habitat, brief description, some uses and almost 250 photos. ].