Unknown spiny palm in a pot

[Cindy Adair]

Astrocaryum alatum has been suggested. Please let me know what you think! This unnamed palm was a gift from a friend in Puerto Rico. He goes to plant exchanges and also starts seeds from Ecuador so it could be anything... He doesn't remember.

I have a difficult enough time trying to identify adults, but can't begin to compare juveniles. I have to like palms with thorns a bit more than their spineless counterparts to spare them the extra space and risk potential impalement. Verschafeltia splendida is certainly worth it (and many others), but not sure about another Bactris gasipaes.Thanks so much for your help.

[Moose]

Looks to be a Bactris sp.to me.

Verschaffeltia splendida has black thorns and would be showing orangish petioles at the stage your palm is.

According to Dr. Andrew Henderson, here is a list of Bactris which are endemic to Ecuador:

Bactris acanthocarpa var. acanthocarpa

Bactris coloradonis

Bactris concinna var. concinna

Bactris concinna var. inundata

Bactris corossilla

Bactris gasipaes

Bactris hondurensis

Bactris macroacantha

Bactris maraja var. juruensis

Bactris maraja var. maraja

Bactris riparia

Bactris setulosa

Bactris simplicifrons

Bactris tomentosa var. sphaerocarpa

[Tropicana Palm Traders]

I go with Bactris:hmm: