Madagascar Palmyra palm
Borassus madagascariensis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It is 10-16 m high. The trunk is 40-60 cm across. There is a swelling near the middle. The leaves are up to 12-20 in the crown. They are arranged in a spiral. They are 5 m long and compound wit leaflets spread out like fingers on a hand. The fruit are round and fleshy. They are 15-18 cm across. The seeds are 7-9 cm long.

There are 7-10 Borassus species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows at low altitudes along rivers in alluvial soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Madagascar (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The palm heart is eaten. The newly germinated seedlings are eaten fresh. They are also cooked as a porridge. The stem pith gives a slightly bitter sago-like starch. The fruit is used to produce an alcoholic drink. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer.

Edible parts

Starch from trunk, palm heart, fruit for alcohol, shoots, seedlings, cabbage, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Badika, Befelatana, Dimaka, Marandravina

Synonyms

Borassus flabellifer var. madagascariensis Jum. & H. Perrier;