Τhe leaf area is an important growth parameter and is directly related to the production of fruit. In this study the leaf area of the pejibye (Bactris gasipaes H.B.K.) was estimated in three different accessions that represent the populations of Benjamin Constant, Coari and Rio Preto da Eva, in Amazonas State, Brasil. First, a comparison of the regression coefficient between true leaf area and rectangular areas of the leaflets was made to determine the similarity of the Amazon and the Central American pejibaye. Second. leaf area was estimated for three leaves/plant and three plants/ accession for each population. The leaflet number, the average lenght and maximum width of a sample of six leaflets and a correction factor allow this estimation. It was determined that the three accessions are significantly different in this parameter, suggesting that the leaf area and its components are important descriptiors, both for populations and for genetic improvement of this species.