Dypsis prestoniana
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A solitary palm. It grows 4-12 m tall. The trunk is 24-40 cm across. It is greenish grey to dark grey. It has distinct, dark grey rings of the leaf base scars. It does not have a true closed crown-shaft. The leaf sheaths are 1.3 m high. The leaves are 2.3 m long. They arch over near the ends. The leaves are somewhat feather like. The leaflets are 1.3 m long. The flower stalk is large and occurs between the leaves. The flowers and scales are yellow. The fruit are orange.
There are 140 Dypsis species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows between 50-550 m altitude in Madagascar. It grows in the rainforest. It suits humid locations. It needs a tropical climate.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, East Africa, Madagascar
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Palm heart, cabbage
How it is grown
It is slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Babovavy, Tavilo