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Borassus aethiopum
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Photo: Bart Wursten
Rusitu Valley
Photo: Bart Wursten
Rusitu Valley
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| Synonyms: |
Borassus flabellifer L. var. aethiopum (Mart.) Warb. |
| Common names: | Borassus palm (English) |
| Frequency: | Very rare |
| Status: | Native |
| Description: |
Large palm tree. Stems erect, up to 20 m, with a distinct swelling above the middle. Leaves crowded on top of the stem, fan-shaped, blue-green up to 4 m including the petiole. Petiole armed with recurved thorns. Flowers in large branched sprays, unisexual on separate trees, female flowers larger than male. Fruit large, 12-18 cm in diameter, subspherical, orange-brown. |
| Notes: | This species can be mistaken for H. coriacea but is a much stouter tree with larger leaves and fruits and mature trees have the distinctive swelling in the trunk. Seriously threatened by increased exploitation to brew a strong alcoholic drink from the sap. Mature trees are cut and killed for this purpose. |
| Derivation of specific name: | aethiopum: of "Ethiopia", a historic reference to all of Africa South of Libya and Egypt. |
| Habitat: | In moist open woodland and riverine areas. |
| Altitude range: (metres) | Up to 700 m |
| Flowering time: | Aug - Oct |
| Worldwide distribution: | Throughout most of tropical Africa, just entering northern S Africa. |
| Zimbabwe distribution: | E,S |
| Growth form: | T |
| Endemic status: | |
| Red data list status: | Critically Endangered |
| Insects (whose larvae eat this species): | |
| Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
| Content last updated: | Wednesday 6 June 2007 |
| Literature: |
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comments powered by DisqusOther sources of information about Borassus aethiopum:
Flora of Mozambique: Borassus aethiopumAfrican Plant Database: Borassus aethiopum
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Borassus aethiopum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Borassus aethiopum
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Borassus aethiopum
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Borassus aethiopum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Borassus aethiopum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Borassus aethiopum
JSTOR Plant Science: Borassus aethiopum
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Borassus aethiopum
Kew Monocotyledon checklist: Borassus aethiopum
Tropicos: Borassus aethiopum
West African Plants database: Borassus aethiopum
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