This species was first named in 2006, having previously been confused with, and included in, Borassus aethiopum[].

Common Name: African Fan Palm

General Information

Borassus akeassii is an evergreen, single-stemmed palm with an unbranched stem that can ultimately reach 15 metres long and 40 - 80cm in diameter. The stem is topped by a crown of 8 - 22 fan-shaped leaves each up to 3 metres long including the petiole[, ].
A multipurpose tree that is widely utilized for food, medicine and a wide range of commodities[]. All parts of the tree are used[]. In Burkina Faso, most populations are semi-managed for wine production[].
The wide utilization of this plant has greatly reduced the numbers of these palms in their native habitat[].
Borassus akeassii has a wide geographic distribution. Although the species is threatened at a local level by farming activities and also potentiallythreatened by palm wine extraction in some areas, its overall extent of occurrence is large and the threats are not thought to be affecting the species' survival overall. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2016)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Semi-arid and sub-humid zones of western Africa from Senegal to Nigeria, Niger, the Central African Republic and DR Congo

Habitat

Savannahs, often in close proximity to human settlements; at elevations up to 400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Borassus akeassii is found in savannah areas with seasonal rainfall and a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 1,100mm[, ].
Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil[]. Found in the wild on light, well-drained soils[]. Plants are able to extract nutrients, and thus grow, on very nutrient-poor soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Established plants are highly resistant to bush fires[, ].
A slow-growing but long lived tree to over 100 years old[]. It does not start flowering until middle-aged[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required

Edible Uses

The apical bud is hollowed out and the resulting sap is collected and fermented. The wine is made for sale enhancing local earnings), to drink at traditional ceremonies, as well as forming a part of the balanced diet in many rural areas, and used for aphrodisiac preparations[].
Excessive tapping of the sap kills the plant[].

Fruit - fresh or dried[]. Eaten as a food supplement[]. The fruit is 15cm in diameter and is produced in large clusters[].

The endosperm of immature seeds - raw[].

Young seedlings - eaten as a vegetable like asparagus[].

The terminal bud of the palm is used as palm cabbage[]. Eating this bud leads to the eventual death of the plant since it is unable to produce side shoots[].

Medicinal

The roots serve for the treatment of stomach parasites, sore throats and asthma, as well as being used for a mouthwash[]

The roots, leaves, inflorescences, resin, sap and fruit may be used as medicine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Semi-culivated trees in Burkina Faso often have crops planted beneath them (usually cotton or cassava)[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used for various purposes including for shelter[].
The leaflets and ribs are used for weaving baskets, sieves, mats and fans[].

The dark brown, coarsely fibrous wood is a highly prized timber locally[]. It is very resistant to termites and fungi, and is used in carpentry, house construction and also for household articles[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a short viability and should be sown as soon as it is removed from the fruit pulp[]. The seed does not require pre-treatment and germinated in about 4 weeks. The plant produces a very long taproot, which can be 1 metre long when top growth is only 1cm tall, and so it is best sown in situ[].

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