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Contact SupplierPentaclethra macroloba is a canopy tree which reaches heights of 30–35 metres (98–115 ft) and a trunk diameter of 130 centimetres (51 in). Leaves are twice compound, arranged in a spiral on the stems. The leaf blades, which can be up to 30 centimetres (12 in) long, consist of 15 to 20 paired leaflets 2–10 centimetres (1–4 in) long. Flowers are small, with purple petals (4–5 millimetres (0.16–0.20 in) long) becoming greenish towards their tips. Inflorescences are racemes; despite producing about 200 flowers per inflorescence, each one produces only a few fruit.
Pracaxi oil, which is extracted from the seeds of P. macroloba, is rich in oleic, linoleic, and behenic acid, and is used medicinally by indigenous Amazonian populations. It is used as a replacement for synthetic hair conditioners in 'green' cosmetics.