HEIGHT up to 16 ft (5 m)TYPE Evergreen
OCCURRENCE South America
This tree dominates forests in Surinam and old plantations in east Guyana. It is fairly invasive. BARK Pale gray. LEAF Dark green and glossy, 4–9 in (10–22 cm) long, 11⁄2–21⁄4 in (4–6 cm) wide, pointed at the tip, with a prominent midvein, many pairs of side veins, and untoothed margin. FLOWER Males and females borne on separate spikes, each 21⁄4–4 in (6–10 cm) long. Males: tiny, cream; females: with three enlarged red-purple sepals that are about 11⁄4 in (3 cm) long and 3⁄16 in (5 mm) wide. FRUIT Dry nut, 3⁄8 in (1 cm) long.
