Indian doum palm
Hyphaene dichotoma

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A branched palm. It can form clusters. It branches 3 or 4 times. It can grow 15 m tall. The leaf crowns are large and round. The leaves are deep green. The leaf blade is almost round and over 1 m long. It is divided into about 40 segments. The leaf stalk is about 1 m long. It is armed with black spines. Male and female flowers are on separate trees. The female trees bear clusters of pear shaped brown fruit. They are about 7 cm across. They are deep orange-brown. These are edible. The seed is 3.5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide.

There are about 9 or 10 Hyphaene species. (Some authorities estimate 40).

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits the tropics and subtropics. It grows in open savannas at low altitudes in India. It can tolerate in colder drier places. It grows naturally in coastal sands. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Egypt, India, North Africa

How it is used for food

The fibrous mesocarp is eaten. The unripe kernel is eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, kernel, nuts

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. The seed are sown in sandy beds.

It grows slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Branching palm, Makamberu, Oka mundel, Ravana tal

Synonyms

Hyphaene indica Becc.;