Bactris rhaphidacantha

Bactris rhaphidacantha is a subshrub, shrub, or palm tree. The stems are 0.3–1.5 metres (0.98–4.92 ft) long, and 5–8 centimetres (2.0–3.1 in) wide. The stems can be solitary, or have up to three stems. The stems lack prickles, or have a few spines between the leaf attachment points. The plant has eight to sixteen leaves, which form a funnel-shaped crown. The leaf stem is 0.5–1.5 metres (1.6–4.9 ft) long. The leaves are pinnate. There are twenty-five to fifty-four pairs of pinnae, which are regularly arranged.

The inflorescences are branching, and have curved, 10–20 centimetres (3.9–7.9 in) long stems. The male flowers are around 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long, and have sepal lobes that are around 1.5 millimetres (0.059 in) long. The male flowers have four to seven stamens, and petals that are around 2 millimetres (0.079 in) long. The female flowers are up to 3 millimetres (0.12 in) long. The calyx is cup-shaped, and 1.5–3 millimetres (0.059–0.118 in) long. The corolla is cup-shaped and 2–3 millimetres (0.079–0.118 in) long. The fruits are 1–1.2 centimetres (0.39–0.47 in) wide, obovoid, orange-red, and have short black spines. The mesocarp is starchy, and the endocarp is turbinate.

Bactris rhaphidacantha is native to the wet tropical biome of northern Brazil (Amapá), French Guiana, and Suriname. It grows at elevations of 100–550 metres (330–1,800 ft), mostly on well-drained slopes.