Common Name:

General Information

Ravenea robustior is a large, single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing 12 - 30 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 20 - 60cm in diameter with a bulbous base, it is topped by a crown of 11 - 25 large leaves each up to 4 metres long on a petiole up to 135cm long[].
Ravenea robustior is an important source of food (with high nutritional value) and other useful plant parts for the local population[]. It is reported as being cultivated in Madagascar but no further details are known[]. In view of the increasing scarcity of this palm and its long life cycle, it is important to extend planting activities[]. The plant is also a specialty ornamental.[].
This species is not common despite the wide distribution range, about 1,000 individuals are estimated for the whole population. The population is declining. Threats include habitat loss through clearance for shifting agriculture, logging and mining; plus there is ongoing harvesting of the plants for the edible palm-heart and for the trunks which are used in construction. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - northern and eastern Madagascar.

Habitat

Moist forest in valley bottoms, on medium or steep slopes, near water or near hill crests, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,000 metres, occasionally to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	23.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

The young terminal bud (palm heart) of Ravenea robustior is eaten as a vegetable, but some consider it too bitter[, ]. The palms are said to be large enough to feed a whole village[]. The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots[].

It is reported that the 'pith', the central soft part of the trunk, can be eaten as wel[].

In former days salt was extracted from the ash of the trunk pith.

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Young leaves are used for making brooms, and fully developed leaves are used for thatching[].

The wood is extremely hard on the outside, due to many black fibres. The heartwood is soft and white[].
The outer wood is used for making floorboards, tables, house walls; it is said to be termite resistant[].

Propagation

Seed -
Seeds, collected from the wild, are offered on the international market for ornamental purposes. The seeds do not seem to be recalcitrant. There are about 1700 seeds per kg and germination takes 1–3 months[].

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