Astrocaryum aculeatum G.Mey.

A single stemmed, spiny palm. It can form clusters. It has a slender grey trunk. It grows to 25 m high and is 20-30 cm across. The crown is almost round. It has feather-like leaves. They are bright green. The leaves are about 5 m long and finely divided. The leaflets are arranged in groups. There are black spines on the trunk, leaf stalks and midrib of the leaves. The fruiting stalks are 2 m long. They have branches. The flowers are cream. The fruit occur in clusters. They are oval and 4-5 cm across. They are yellowish-orange when ripe. They are edible.

An understorey plant in lowland rainforest, growing in areas not subject to seasonal inundation, at elevations up to 650 metres, occasionally to 850 metres.

The flesh of the fruit is eaten fresh. The leaves are burnt to make vegetable salt. The soft spongy layer of germinated seeds is eaten.

Plants are grown from seed. Seed are often difficult to germinate. Soaking or cracking the seed helps germination.