There are few assessments of lifetime dry matter production for tropical trees. However, several studies, have been carried out for palms. This study measures dry matter production for Jessenia bataua, a useful palm common in many areas of the Amazon Valley. Palms In the Ducke Forest Reserve Of INPA were studied. Approximately 34% of total aboveground dry matter production in this palm was, alllocated to reproductive effort, eg., the production of in florescences and fruits. The meaning of this percentage, to discussed, relative to percentages identified in other Neotropical palms.