Arecaceae
Desmoncus Mart.
Kingdom: Plantae Rank: Genus Parent: Arecaceae Status: Valid
Vegetative Morphology
Habit: Climbing palms.
Main axis: Stems with spines formed from modified leaves.
Leaves: Leaves pinnate, the pinnae generally opposite, the terminal pinnae modified into spines. Rachis to 100 cm. Spines short, curved toward the base and angled, on the stem, leaf rachis, and on veins of the basal surface of the leaf, scattered and smaller on the spathe (infructescence bract).
Reproductive Morphology
Fruit: Fruit sessile, yellow, orange, or red, the mesocarp orange.
Infructescence: Infructescence 11 cm, axillary, with 2 bracts. Calyx persistent.
Seeds: Seed one per fruit.
Other
Distribution: From Mexico, Guianas, and Trinidad to Peru and Bolivia.