There has been some confusion between Livistona jenkinsiana and Livistona speciosa Kurz, with some treatments, such as the Flora of China[] treating Livistona speciosa as a synonym of Livistona jenkinsiana. We are using the treatment of Dowe, J.L. (2009)[] and Liu, H.S. (2011)[], where Livistona speciosa is a distinct species native from Bangladesh to southern China and south to Malaysia and Vietnam - this species was wrongly described as Livistona jenkinsiana in the Flora of China. Livistona jenkinsiana is not native to China, but is found in Bangladesh, northeast India, Myanmar and Thailand.

Common Name: Himalayan Fan Palm

General Information

Livistona jenkinsiana is a solitary-stemmed, evergreen palm tree with an unbranched stem growing up to 10 metres tall and up to 30cm in diameter. The stem is topped by a dense crown of 20 - 50 fan-shaped leaves with petioles 130 - 200cm long and leaf blades 150 - 200cm wide[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its leaves, which are used locally for thatch and are woven into hats etc. It is occasionally cultivated in small plantations for this purpose in India and China[, , ].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand

Habitat

Open forest[]. Forests and open areas, it is also commonly planted in villages or other disturbed areas; at elevations from 100 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Livistona jenkinsiana is a plant of tropical regions, though it can also be grown in more or less frost-free temperate and subtropical climates[]. It is found in areas of high rainfall, which can be with or without a distinct dry season[].
Grows best in a sunny, moist, but well drained position[]. Found in the wild mainly on sandy loams.

Edible Uses

The seeds are eaten as a substitute for betel nut (Areca catechu)[]. No more information, but this report more correctly refers to Livistona speciosa, see notes above on taxonomy[].

Medicinal

The fruits are used medicinally in Hainan[]. No more information, but this report more correctly refers to Livistona speciosa, see notes above on taxonomy[].

Other Uses

The leaves are commonly used for thatching[, ].
The leaves are woven into hats etc[, ].

Propagation

Seed - sow in deep containers in order to avoid root constriction, planting two seeds in each container[]. The seed of this species has a longer viability than that of most palms[]. If necessary, thin the seedlings to the best plant and grow them on until large enough to plant out.

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