Montrichardia arborescens Schott

Caudex usually 1-3 m. high and supported at the base by prop roots, 1.5-2 cm. thick or at the base much thicker, green, the inter-nodes chiefly short and only 1 cm. long, often armed with recurved prickles 2-3 mm. long; petioles'20-30 cm. long or more, terete above, the sheath extending above the middle; blades 15-40 cm. long or more, deeply sagittate, the basal lobes retrorse, acuminate to subobtuse, the anterior lobe triangular-ovate, broad, often cuspidate, the primary costal nerves 3-4 on each side; peduncle half as long as the spathe; spathes oblong-ovate, cuspidate, 10-15 cm. long and 6-7 cm. wide or larger, greenish or pale outside, white or whitish within; spadix very thick, the staminate portion 7 cm. long, the pistillate one-third as long; stamens 3-6; berries subglobose, 1-1.5 cm. in diameter.

They are tropical plants. They grow in marshes. In Costa Rica it grows from sea level to about 100 m altitude. It can grow amongst mangroves and in estuaries. The temperature needs to be above 25°C.

The roasted fruit and seeds are eaten. The fruit need to be fully ripe. The seeds are cooked or roasted. The starchy roots are also eaten.

Plants can be grown from seed sown into waterlogged soil. They can also be grown from sections of the rhizome.