Borassus aethiopum

From Palmpedia - Palm Grower's Guide
Revision as of 08:10, 16 November 2009 by MattyB_blocked_old (Talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search
Borassus aethiopum
Borassus anthiopum (1).jpg
Fairchild Gardens, Florida
Scientific Classification
Genus: Borassus
Species: aethiopum
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Africa
Africa.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Culture
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Survivability index
Common names
Palmyra palm
Fairchild
Fairchild FL.
amazing petiole armor

Borassus aethiopium is a dioecious palm species native to Africa where it grows in savannas and woods. The name is Latinized for 'Ethiopian' where the species is known; it is commonly called palmyra palm, as are all the plants in the genus.

Description

They grow swelling, solitary trunks to 25 meters in height and 1 m in diameter at the base. The green, 4 meter leaves are carried on 2 meter petioles which are armed with spines. The crown is spherical to 7 m wide, the leaves are round with stiff leaflets, segmented a third or half-way to the petiole. In male plants the flower is small and inconspicuous; females grow larger, 2 cm flowers which produce yellow to brown fruit resembling the coconut containing up to 3 seeds.