Mumbaca palms in the log

Just to keep us on our guard as we observe plant life on the old piquiá log, some mumbaca palms (Astrocaryum gynacanthum) have made their way into the hollow of the trunk. If I dared look closely, I think I'd find that their roots are already down in the ground. As reported in earlier posts, the thorns on this palm are dangerous. Referring to a little botanical history in the Amazon, I tell visitors that this is the palm that Richard Spruce made famous.