Trunk to 6 m or more, 20 cm wide, ringed. Leaves 6-8, to 3 m long, arching. Leaflets narrow, 3-4 cm wide, crowded, dark green, arranged in many planes. Fruit round or 2-lobed, 1-2 cm wide, bright red. [Opsiandra maya O.F. Cook]

Central America

Grown on a limited scale. Best appearance in semi-shade. Damaged by strong winds. Plants commonly carry a large number of inflorescences at different stages. The fruit contain caustic stinging crystals.

NSW: Sydney (Royal Botanic Garden Sydney). SA: Adelaide (Adelaide Botanic Garden).

Source: Jones, D; Spencer, R. (2005). Arecaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.