Ceylon Date Palm
Phoenix pusilla

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A slender, coarse palm. It forms spiny clumps. It grows about 1-3 m tall. The stems are 15-20 cm across. The trunk is rough and covered with leaf bases. These are densely packed. The fronds are green and often covered with a waxy bloom. They are 2 m long. The fronds arch and the fronds spread in many planes. The leaflets are light green and stiff and sharply pointed. The flowering stalks are amongst the leaf bases. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The flowers are cream. The fruit are small and about 12 mm long. The fruit ripen to red or violet and have a sweet pulp. Two plants are necessary for viable seed.

There are 17 Phoenix species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the hot humid lowland tropics. It grows in coastal areas and inland along the edges of marshes and paddy fields. It can tolerate cold. It can be grown in temperate regions. It needs well drained soils. A sunny position is essential. It often grows on seashores.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, India, Indonesia, SE Asia, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The floury starch from the stem can be baked. The terminal bud or cabbage is cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The ripe fruit are eaten fresh. It can be used for palm sugar.

Edible parts

Fruit, stem-starch, cabbage, sago, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants are easily grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Chiruta-ita, Chitti-ita, Chittintal, EEchai, Eentha, Ethee, Flour palm, Hullichula, Iechamaram, Iichchampalam, Inchu palm, Indi, Ithi, Palem kurma ceylon, Palem kurma kerdil, Sagi, Sanna-ichalu, Wal-indi

Synonyms

Phoenix farinifera Roxb.; Phoenix zeylanica Trimen; Zelonops pusilla (Gaertn.) Raf.;