Common Name: Mountain Date Palm

General Information

Phoenix loureiroi is an evergreen palm, producing a cluster of one or more stems growing 1 - 6 metres tall, The stems can be 20 - 40cm in diameter and are sometimes subterranean. Individual leaves are up to 200cm long[, ].
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use of its leaves which are woven into mats, baskets etc and used as brushes. The plant is also a minor local source of food and has medicinal uses.
Phoenix loureiroi has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2018)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Nepal,, Bangladesh, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines

Habitat

Undergrowth in open forests, Pinus forests, scrubland, open grassy areas, dunes, often on steep slopes, very common in areas disturbed by human activity and in places subject to burning; at elevations up to 1,700 metres[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	3.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position, succeeding in most soils so long as the drainage is excellent[].
A slow-growing plant[].
Phoenix species are quite liable to hybridize where the various species meet as a result of cultivation[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[, ]. The fruits have a sweet flavour, though the layer of flesh is somewhat thin and the texture a little mealy. They are commonly eaten by children, less often by adults[]. The orange, oblong fruits are 12 - 17mm long and 5 - 12mm wide, containing a single, large, woody seed[].

The apical bud is sweet and can be eaten as a vegetable (palm cabbage)[, ]. Eating this bud does lead to the death of the individual stem, since the plant is unable to produce sideshoots.

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent. They are used in the treatment of intestinal troubles[]. A study has shown that the fruit is an effective treatment for inflammatory bowel diseases[].
A decoction of the leaves, with salt added, is used as a gargle to treat toothaches[].

Other Uses

The leaves are woven into mats, baskets, hand-fans etc[, , ], The shredded, sun-dried, juvenile leaves are woven as raincoats[].

The leaves are used as thatch when making huts etc [, ].

The base of the leaves is used as a brush as a substitute for brooms and also as a brush for cleaning walls, windows, floors etc[]. This brush can also be used for the rough painting of walls and ceilings[].

The leaf stalks are used as fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and sow in containers. Germination usually takes place in 2 - 3 months[].
Seed viability can be maintained for 8 - 15 years at room temperature[].
Division of suckers[]. Pot up immediately into large containers and plant into permanent positions once the plant is established[].

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