A single stemmed palm from northern countries in South America that attains heights of 30 feet with a trunk ringed with black spines.  Spines are also found among the leaflets.  The bright red clusters of fruit are rich in carotene and are used in candies. This “wait a minute” palm is native to Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.  The species name means having leaves like the fishtail palm.  The former species name caryotifolia has been replaced by aculeata.