Bactris major is a small to medium-sized (1–10 m tall) spiny palm which ranges from Mexico, through Central America into northern South America and Trinidad. The species is divided into three or four varieties, although the boundaries between varieties is not always clearly defined. The fruits are eaten or used to flavour drinks. Spanish names for the palm species include marayaú.

Varieties

Rafaël Govaerts recognised three varieties: Andrew Henderson and co-authors recognised a fourth variety, Bactris major var. megalocarpa (Trail ex Thurn) A.J.Hend., but Govaerts considered this to be a synonym of Bactris major var. major.