Chamaedorea tepejilote, also known as the pacaya palm, is a species of Chamaedorea palm tree found in the understory of the forests of southern Mexico, Central America, and northern Colombia.
Pacaya is a small, usually single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing 2-7 metres tall, though the plant sometimes produces more than one stem. The unbranched stem can be 2-10 cm in diameter; it is topped by a crown of 3-7 leaves. Pacaya is a very popular and important vegetable in the areas of South and Central America where it grows. It is cultivated in the rainforests for its edible male flower inflorescence, which is often sold in local markets. There are some named varieties. The plant is often grown as an ornamental.
