Common Name:

General Information

Dypsis fibrosa is a clump-forming evergreen palm tree that can have from 1 - 6 slender stems up to 9 metres tall. Unusually for a palm, these stems can sometimes form from 1 - 3 branches - these normally grow parallel to the main stems. The stems are topped by a crown of leaves[, ].
The plant yields a fibre of very good quality. This was, for a short time, exported in quantity from Madagascar to Europe and other destinations. However, other more easily harvested fibres were discovered and there is now virtually no trade of this species[]. The plant is still harvested from the wild for local use of its fibre, and also supplies food and medicines for local use. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, especially in specialist collections[].
This is a widespread and common species in the lowland humid forest of Madagascar and although there are some threats to the habitat and some exploitation of the species, none of these are significant enough to warrant any concern. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - northern and eastern Madagascar.

Habitat

Humid forests, occurring mainly in the lowland but also occasionally in montane forest. Individuals are more frequent on steep slopes and ridge tops but they may also grow in peat swamp forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	7.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position in a moist but well-drained soil[].
One of only 2 plant species on which Cymbidiella falcigera (a rare orchid) grows (the other being Raffia farinosa )[].

Edible Uses

Leaves - cooked[]. The apical bud, known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[]. Eating this bud can lead to the death of the individual stem because it is unable to make more than three side-shoots[].

Medicinal

The plant (parts not specified but probably the bark and/or the fruits) is used in the treatment of headaches, jaundice and hepatitis; and also as an aid to lactation[].

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching huts[].
The trunk is densely covered with good quality brownish fibres about 45cm long, formed from the inner sheaths and the edges of the petioles[]. Individual fibres are finer and more flexible than the fibres obtained from the Brazilian Piassaba (Leopoldinia spp., and Attalea spp.) and also slightly shorter ; in other respects the two fibres resemble each other closely[].

Propagation

Seed -

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