Hyospathe
(from hys, hyos, a hog, and spathe; it is known in Brazil as Hog's Palm). ORD. Palmae. A genus comprising three species of reed-like, unarmed, stove palms, natives of Brazil. Flowers green, minute; spadices two or three, shortly pedunculate; spathes two, lower one compressed, two-keeled; upper one fusiform. Leaves few, terminal, irregularly pinnatisect; segments broad. The species best known is H. elegans. For culture, see Bactris. H. elegans (elegant). fl., spikes produced below the leaves, and bear both male and female flowers. fr. violet, resembling an olive in shape. l. 3ft. to 4ft. long, nearly entire when young, having only a division at the point, but when full-grown they are more or less divided, and become irregularly pinnate. Para. The leaves of this plant are employed for thatching.