Hurricane Palm, Princess Palm, Red Palm
Dictyosperma album

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

Hurricane Palm (Dictyosperma album), otherwise known as Princess Palm or Red Palm, is a single-stemmed, slender, evergreen feather palm that reaches a height of up to 20 m and up to 16 cm in diameter. The crown is composed of 10 to 20 leaves with each leaf measuring up to 3 m long. Hurricane Palm is very attractive hence it is also grown as an ornamental in the tropics and subtropics. It is commonly found in Africa specifically in Mauritius and Reunion. Root decoction is a diuretic. The leaves and apical bud can both be cooked and consumed.

Dictyosperma album is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Coastal forests. Grows at low elevations generally up to 600 metres.

Africa - Mauritius, Réunion.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mauritius; Réunion

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Leaves - cooked. The apical bud of this plant is highly valued as a food. This palm is single-stemmed and unable to form sideshoots - harvesting the apical bud leads to the death of the plant.

Apical bud: Typically, the end of a shoot contains an apical bud, which is the location where shoot growth occurs.

Medicine

Rating: 2

A root decoction is used as a diuretic.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Other

Rating: 0

Other Uses: None known

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Plants are able to tolerate occasional light frosts with temperatures down to -1°c. Prefers a position in light shade or full sun. Grows best in a well-drained soil. Tolerant of saline conditions. Usually growing near the coast, the plant can withstand the strongest of winds, including salt-laden hurricanes. A moderately fast growing plant. Blooms repeatedly

Propagating it: Seed - sown fresh, it germinates within 60 - 120 days.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Areca alba Bory Areca aurea Van Houtte Areca borbonica Kunth Areca furfuracea H.Wendl. Areca lactea