Ceroxylon alpinum Bonpl.

A solitary, feather-leafed palm. It can be 30 m high and 20-30 cm across the trunk. It has a waxy trunk. It does not have a crown-shaft. The trunk is tall and slender. There are rings on the trunk. The leaves form a rounded crown. They are dark green and divided along the stalk. The leaves have a sheathing base but not a crown-shaft. The leaves are 2-3.5 m long. The leaflets are long and narrow. They are deep glossy green above and silvery white underneath. The flowering stalk is 1.5-2 m long. These arise amongst the leaves and there can be several at one time. The bracts are covered with brown woolly scales. Flowers are pale yellow. The fruit are orange-red with a rough surface. They are 17-19 mm across.

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in the Andes at 1500-2000 m altitude. It grows in subtropical and temperate climates. They suit cool moist locations. It prefers an acid soil.

Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 6-12 months to germinate. Seed are sensitive to rotting and high temperatures.