Ceroxylon ceriferum

Native to northeastern Colombia and Venezuela, this solitary palm tree grows in humid mountain forests. In Colombia, it occurs between about 6,200 and 9,200 feet. Its slender, silvery trunk is coated with wax, and its crown usually carries eight to twelve arching, feather-shaped leaves. Some palms in Colombia reach about 115 feet tall. Male and female flowers grow on separate palms, and the round fruits ripen orange-red. Its stems have been used as house supports and wall material. Habitat loss and harvesting young leaves for Palm Sunday threaten its populations. It is endangered in Colombia. Photographed in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia.