This species is very similar to the closely related Hyphaene coriacea, and there is some debate about the exact taxonomic status of the two[]. Hyphaene coriacea differs mainly in the fruit being pear-shaped[]. The trees appear to be generally smaller and sucker more readily[].

Common Name: Vegetable Ivory

General Information

Vegetable ivory is usually a massive evergreen fan palm tree growing up to 25 metres tall[, ]. It normally grows on a solitary, unbranched stem, but does occasionally sucker and specimens with two stems are sometimes seen[]. The stem base is raised on a mass of fibrous roots, whilst the trunk is often swollen about 1 - 2 metres below the crown[, ]. The tree is topped by a crown of very large, gray-green leaves and produces a large, round fruit, with a hard white nut (from which comes the common name of vegetable ivory)[].
A true multi-purpose tree, it is used extensively by local people as a source of food and materials for making baskets and many other items[, ]. Products from the tree are often sold in local markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - eastern DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, S. Africa.

Habitat

Lowland savannah[] .In dry sandy areas, often away from rivers[]. Along watercourses in tropical conditions; in East Africa it is often found inland on alkaline soils with a high water-table, elsewhere it is more common by the coast[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant requires at least a sub-tropical climate, preferring climates that are hot and dry[]. They will probably tolerate areas of high rainfall so long as the soil is well drained[].
Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The sap is tapped and fermented into a wine[].
Unfortunately the sap collecting is often fatal to the tree, so the palm is now becoming rare around some of the more populated areas[].

The fibrous fruit is eaten raw[]. A sweet, porous layer of flesh lies under the glossy shell[]. The pulp can be fermented to make a wine[]. The fruit is about the size of a small apple[].

The apical bud is cooked and eaten[, ]. Unfortunately, this usually leads to the eventual death of the tree since it rarely suckers and is unable to form side branches[].

Seeds - raw[]. The germinating seeds are also eaten[].

Medicinal

The pulp from the fruit is used to treat stomach ache and to rid the body of intestinal worms[].

Other Uses

The hard white nut is used for carving buttons and similar items[, ]. Used to make ornamental objects[].

The leaves are used for weaving mats, hats, fans etc, and for basket making[, , ].

The leaves are used for thatch[, , ].

A fibre from the leaf is made into rope[]. The fibre is also used for making the strings of musical instruments, whilst the leaves can be plaited to make very fine bracelets[].

The leaf petioles are used for hut construction, fencing[].

The leaf petioles and the flower stalks are used as a fuel for cooking fires[].

Propagation

Seed -

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