Bactris ptariana

Bactris ptariana is a shrub or tree. The stems are 2–3 metres (6.6–9.8 ft) tall, and 3–5 centimetres (1.2–2.0 in) wide. The stems have spines. The leaves are compound, and have fifteen to forty-seven segments (pinna) on each side. The pinnae are arranged in irregular clusters. The leaf stems are 15–40 centimetres (5.9–15.7 in) long. The male flowers are 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long, and have six stamens. The female flowers are 3–3.5 millimetres (0.12–0.14 in) long. The sepal lobes are around 1 millimetre (0.039 in) long. The calyx is ring-shaped, and 0.5 millimetres (0.020 in) long. The corolla is cup-shaped, and 2–2.5 millimetres (0.079–0.098 in) long. The inflorescences are borne among the bases of leaves. The flower stems are 11–24 centimetres (4.3–9.4 in) long, and spiny. The fruits are egg-shaped, bright orange or red, 0.7–1 centimetre (0.28–0.39 in) long, and 0.6–0.8 centimetres (0.24–0.31 in) wide. They sometimes have minute spines. The mesocarp is starchy. The endocarp is shaped like a spinning top.

Bactris ptariana is native to the wet tropical biome of Guyana and southern Venezuela. It grows at elevations of 10–2,000 metres (33–6,562 ft). The species' estimated area of occurrence is 95,721 square kilometres (36,958 sq mi). Bactris ptariana grows in forests, dwarf forests, or open areas near forest margins. It usually grows on white sand soils.