Khajoor
Phoenix loureiroi

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A clumping palm. It can grow up to 4 m high. The trunk can be 20-30 cm across. The old leaf bases are attached to the stems. The fronds are numerous and spreading. They are 2 m long and the leaflets 30 cm long. The leaf stalk is 60 cm long and compressed but not grooved and with long scattered spines. The leaflets are carried in several planes. They are twisted and curved back. The leaflets are bright green and narrow. They are stiff and well spaced. The flower stalk is in the axils of leaves and bears small pale yellow flowers. The flowering stalks are short. Male and female flowers are on separate plants. The fruiting branch has alternating clusters near the ends. The fruit are oblong. They are 12 mm long and dark purple when ripe. There is a sweet edible pulp around a hard seed. The stone of the seed has a groove along its length.

There are 17 Phoenix species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In the Philippines it grows from sea level to 1425 m altitude. It grows in low mountain forest as well as in cleared forest. It grows along mountain streams. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, Hong Kong, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten raw. It is the fleshy layer of the ripe fruit that is chewed and the seeds are spat out. An edible starch can be extracted from the stem.

The mature fruit are eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, stem - starch, bud

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

The fruit weigh 0.5 g.

Its other names

Local names

Bon khejur, Bukhajuro, Chitteetha, Eechipulla, Kattuthengu, Khajur, Kojiri, Palem korma, Mak bpeng, Thakal, Thangtup, Voyayoi

Synonyms

Phoenix humilis Royle; Phoenix hanceana Naudin; Phoenix ouseleyana Griff.;