Aiphanes bicornis
Introduction '''''Aiphanes bicornis''''' is a species of small, pinnately leaved palm which is endemic to Ecuador. First described in 2004 and known from only two locations, the species name refers to the deeply notched tips of its leaflets,  which are said to be evocative of the horns of an antelope.
Description ''Aiphanes bicornis'' is a small palm  tall with a single stem  tall and  in diameter. Stems are covered with grey spines up to  long with  spacing between nodes. Individuals have between 7 and 13 leaves which consists of a leaf sheath, a petiole and a rachis. Leaf sheaths, which wrap around the stem, are about  long and are covered with small cream-coloured spines and scattered larger spines. Petioles are  long and spiny. Rachises are  with 27 to 36 pairs of leaflets, the ends of which are deeply notched to form a pair of "horns".Inflorescences consist of a peduncle  and a rachis  long. The rachis bears 2 to 3 rachillae, which are the smaller branches which themselves bear the flowers. The male flowers have purple sepals and cream-coloured petals, while the female flowers are purple. The ripe fruit has not been recorded, but the immature fruit is globose,  long and  in diameter.
Taxonomy ''Aiphanes'' has been placed in the subfamily Arecoideae, the tribe Cocoseae and the subtribe Bactridinae, together with ''Desmoncus'', ''Bactris'', ''Acrocomia'' and ''Astrocaryum''. ''Aiphanes bicornis'' was described by Ecuadorian botanists Carlos Cerón and Rodrigo Bernal in 2004 based on a collection made in 2003 by Cerón and others between 2000 and 2003.While the species bears certain resemblance to other members of the genus, it position within ''Aiphanes'' is uncertain.
Distribution ''Aiphanes bicornis'' is known from two locations at the base of the Cordillera de Toisan on the western slope of the Andes, in Imbabura Province, Ecuador. The species may also be present in Colombia.
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