Etymology: The specific epithet refers to the wide distribution of this species throughout the upper Amazon basin. Historical notes: Distinguishing features: Rachis densely tomentose when young, rachis densely prickled with the prickles often branched, small less than 15 cm long seed cone. Distribution and habitat: A widespread species found in Amazonian areas of Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Conservation status: Fairly common locally throughout its range. Not listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants. Description:
Stem subterranean, 3-8 cm in diameter. Cataphylls triangualr basally, linear-lanceolate apically, 3-8 cm long, 1-2 cm wide. Leaves 2-6, 0.5-2.5 m long, oval to elliptic; petiole 0.5-1 m long, armed with small to stout branched prickles; rachis 0.5-1 m long, with 6-12 subopposite pairs of leaflets, armed with prickles in the lower third. Leaflets chartaceous to papyraceous, oblong-lanceolate to lanceolate, acuminate at apex, denticulate in upper half, 15-20 cm long, 2-4 cm wide. Pollen cones 2-6, cylindrical, brown, 6-10 cm long, 1-2 cm in diameter; peduncle 8-15 cm long. Seed cones usually solitary, dark red-brown, 10-15 cm long,
3-5 cm in diameter; peduncle 5-8 cm long.
Seeds with a red outer fleshy layer, ovoid, 1 cm long, 0.5 cm
in diameter.
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