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Useful Tropical Plants

Livistona saribus

(Lour.) Merr. ex A.Chev.

Arecaceae

+ Synonyms

Corypha saribus Lour.

Livistona cochinchinensis (Blume) Mart.

Livistona hasseltii (Hassk.) Hassk. ex Miq.

Livistona hoogendorpii Teijsm. & Binn. ex Miq.

Livistona inaequisecta Becc.

Livistona spectabilis Griff.

Livistona tonkinensis Magalon

Livistona vogamii Becc.

Sabal hoogendorpii (Teijsm. & Binn. ex Miq.) L.H.Bailey

Saribus cochinchinensis Blume

Saribus hasseltii Hassk.

Saribus hoogendorpii (Teijsm. & Binn. ex Miq.) Kuntze

Common Name: Taraw Palm

Livistona saribus
Crown of the plant
Photograph by: John Dransfield
Image credit to Palmweb
Livistona saribus Livistona saribus Livistona saribus

General Information

Livistona saribus is a large, solitary-stemmed, evergreen, fan palm with an unbranched stem that can be up to 40 metres tall and 15 - 65cm in diameter. The stem is topped by a large and fairly dense, globose crown of 25 - 30 leaves with arching petioles 100 - 200cm long and leaf blades up to 170cm wide[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
297
Title
Palms of the World
Publication
 
Author
Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
Publisher
Angus and Robertson
Year
1992
ISBN
0-207-14848-1
Description
An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
,
314
Title
Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
,
1970
Title
A Taxonomic Account of Livistona R.Br. (Arecaceae)
Publication
A Taxonomic Account of Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 60(2): 185-344. 2009
Author
Dowe J.L.
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, detailed work, though it is a shame it does not include information on traditional and other uses.
].
The plant is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use as food, thatch, weaving etc. The plant is also cultivated in some parts of southeast Asia[
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. It is often grown as an ornamental[
1968
Title
Palms of Southern Asia
Publication
 
Author
Henderson A.
Publisher
Princeton University Press, New York
Year
2009
ISBN
978-0-691-13449-9
Description
An excellent concise guide
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
,
1970
Title
A Taxonomic Account of Livistona R.Br. (Arecaceae)
Publication
A Taxonomic Account of Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 60(2): 185-344. 2009
Author
Dowe J.L.
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, detailed work, though it is a shame it does not include information on traditional and other uses.

Range

Southeast Asia - southern China, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines.

Habitat

An emergent palm of the tropical rainforest[
314
Title
Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Lowland rain forests or dry forests, often in periodically inundated habitats; at elevations from 600 - 1,100 metres[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
]. Found as scattered individuals or in small to very large colonies[
1970
Title
A Taxonomic Account of Livistona R.Br. (Arecaceae)
Publication
A Taxonomic Account of Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore 60(2): 185-344. 2009
Author
Dowe J.L.
Publisher
 
Year
2009
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, detailed work, though it is a shame it does not include information on traditional and other uses.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height20.00 m
Cultivation StatusCultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Livistona saribus is a plant of tropical areas, though it is quite cold tolerant when older and can succeed in more or less frost-free temperate areas[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
314
Title
Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. It can tolerate occasional, short-lived frosts down to around -4°c[
423
Title
Desert Tropicals
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.desert-tropicals.com/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation.
]. It is found in areas of high rainfall, which can be with or without a distinct dry season[
297
Title
Palms of the World
Publication
 
Author
Blombery. A. & Rodd. T.
Publisher
Angus and Robertson
Year
1992
ISBN
0-207-14848-1
Description
An excellent guide, well illustrated, with information on cultivation, uses, habitat etc of almost 200 species of Palms.
].
Grows best in a sunny, moist, but well drained position[
314
Title
Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia.
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.pacsoa.org.au/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Contains at least a little information on the majority of palm and cycad species, plus a wealth of photographs. A first class website.
]. Plants tolerate seasonal inundation of the soil in the wild[
266
Title
Flora of China
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis.
Year
1994
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available.
].

Edible Uses

The terminal bud of the palm is cooked and eaten as a vegetable[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. Harvesting this bud leads to the death of the tree since it is unable to make sideshoots[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Fully ripe fruits[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. The endosperm, macerated in vinegar or a salt solution, can be eaten[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
]. The globose to ellipsoid, blue to blue-grey fruit is up to 25mm long and 20mm in diameter with a very thin layer of fleshy mesocarp about 1mm thick[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
1968
Title
Palms of Southern Asia
Publication
 
Author
Henderson A.
Publisher
Princeton University Press, New York
Year
2009
ISBN
978-0-691-13449-9
Description
An excellent concise guide
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching houses, being laid on much like shingles and sewn in place with strips of rattan; or separated into strips and made into shingles like those of the nipa palm[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].

A kind of raincoat, made of several leaves of this palm sewn together, is traditionally used in many parts of the Philippines; while a very broad and shallow sun-hat, popular in many provinces, consists of a frame of bamboo or rattan covered with the leaves of this plant[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The leaves are also used for making fans[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The young folded leaves are used for making long-fibred brooms[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].
The leaves are used for making a peculiar type of broom. The young leaves, while still closed, are cut off with the whole petiole attached. The thin part of the blade is then removed, leaving the ribs attached to the petiole. Six or eight of these leaves are then tied together, making a long-fibred, very flexible broom, about 1.5 meters long[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].

The midrib of the leaves serves as a blowpipe[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
317
Title
Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.
].

The trunks, which are about 20cm in diameter, are used for pillars in houses[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
]. The wood is hard, takes a high polish, and is considerably utilized in the Philippines for canes or walking sticks[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].
The outer part of the trunk (which is the hardest part of the wood) is sometimes removed in the form of strips and used for floors of houses. These strips also supply the wood used for making bows and spear shafts[
345
Title
Minor Products of Philippine Forests
Publication
 
Author
Brown. W. H.
Publisher
Bureau of Forestry, Manilla.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
A useful guide to some of the plants of the area, though terse on details. The book is out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - sow in deep containers in order to avoid root constriction, planting two seeds in each container[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. The seed of this species has a longer viability than that of most palms[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. If necessary, thin the seedlings to the best plant and grow them on until large enough to plant out.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-12. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Livistona+saribus>

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