Johannesteijsmannia altifrons is a species of flowering plant in the palm family. It is native to southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra. Flowers of this species smell of sour milk.
This is a medium-sized, stemless palm with a subterranean, creeping base that can reach up to 15 cm in diameter. It forms a dense crown of 20âÂÂ30 large, upright leaves that can grow up to 3.5 m in length and 1.8 m in width. The leaves have a pleated structure with up to 20 or more folds on each side, a leathery texture, and serrated edges. The petioles, reaching up to 2.5 m long, are lined with minute spines and transition into a broad leaf blade that is smooth underneath but covered in brown scales near the central rib. The inflorescence starts upright before arching downward, branching into multiple levels. The flowering stalk is 30âÂÂ50 cm long, bearing 20âÂÂ100 smaller branches covered in fine white fuzz. The flowers are small, cream-colored, and pointed when in bud, measuring 4âÂÂ5 mm in length. The rounded fruit reaches 4âÂÂ5 cm in diameter and is covered in 60âÂÂ80 corky protrusions, giving it a distinct textured appearance.