Common Name:

General Information

Ravenea sambiranensis is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing up to 20 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 15cm or more in diameter, it is topped by a crown of 20 - 25 large leaves that can each be 3 - 4 metres long[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood.
Given the huge range of this species there is localized habitat loss through clearance for shifting agriculture and logging in some places, but this does not pose a significant threat. The species appears to be very tolerant of disturbance. There is also widespread utilization of the species, but this also does not appear to pose a threat. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Littoral forest on white sand, in dense moist forest or dry montane forests, on steep slopes, hill crests or on almost level ground; in the west in remnant riverine forest; at elevations from near sea level up to 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Edible Uses

The apical bud, often known as a 'palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[, , ]. It is often cooked with manioc[]. It has a somewhat bitter flavour[]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make side shoots[].

The fruits are also consumed[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The black outer wood is very hard[]. It is suitable for making planks for floorboards[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: what is half of 6?