The genus Ceroxylon is revised and twelve species are recognized. A total of 228 specimens from 19 herbaria were studied and field work was carried out in four countries. A list of 113 characters was explored in the specimens and described for each species. Additionally, leaf anatomy and pollen morphology (via Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM) were examined for twelve and eleven species, respectively. SEM images were used to describe the surfaces of the leaf and fruit epicarp. Information on habitat, natural history, local names, uses and conservation status are incorporated after the morphological description of each species. A key for the identification of the species is provided and illustrations and distribution maps are included for all species.