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Useful Tropical Plants

Acanthophoenix rubra

(Bory) H.Wendl.

Arecaceae


Some authorities place Acanthophoenix crinita (Bory) H.Wendl., here as a synonym of this species. We are following the treatment given in 'Ludwig, N. (2006). Acanthophoenix in Réunion, Mascarene Islands. Palms; Journal of the International Palm Society 50: 82-98.' which treats A. Crinita as a distinct species[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
]. It is very likely that the uses detailed below for this species can also be applied to A. Crinita[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Areca cincta Walp.

Areca herbstii W.Watson

Areca rubra Bory

Calamus dealbatus H.Wendl.

Calamus verschaffeltii H.Wendl.

Calamus verschaffeltii Rollisson

Sublimia centennina Comm. ex Mart.

Common Name:

Acanthophoenix rubra
Tree
Photograph by: Not known
Creative Commons 3
Acanthophoenix rubra Acanthophoenix rubra Acanthophoenix rubra Acanthophoenix rubra Acanthophoenix rubra

General Information

Acanthophoenix rubra is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing up to 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem, which can be up to 18cm in diameter, is topped by a crown of up to ten leaves that can each be up to 3 metres long[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible young leaves and medicinal uses. It is cultivated for its edible leaf bud within its native range, and is also widely grown as an ornamental, especially in Mauritius[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Found only in Mauritius and Réunion. In Réunion only a single population of 150 mature individuals in Etoile valley in the eastern range remains viable. Regeneration is occasional. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Africa - Mauritius, Réunion.

Habitat

Mixed, moist forests at elevations from 250 - 650 metres[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusCritically Endangered
Edibility Rating *  *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height10.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is said to be able to tolerate light frosts[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].
An easy plant to grow, but it should be protected from full sunlight when young[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Fairly large amounts of organic matter in the soil stimulate growth[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Edible Uses

The palm heart (apical bud) is edible and much appreciated as a delicacy[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
]. Eating this heart leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Medicinal

A decoction of the roots is used as a diuretic[
299
Title
Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.prota.org
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-08. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Acanthophoenix+rubra>

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