Panama-hat plant
Carludovica drudei
Family: Cyclanthaceae
What it is like
A herb or palm like shrub. It grows 3 m tall. The stem is short and underground. The leaves are fan shaped and 2 m across. They are divided into 3-4 wedge shaped sections. They are deeply divided. The leaf stalk is 2.5 m long. The flowers are on a fleshy spike. Male and female flowers are alternate in spirals. The male are in clusters of 4 and the female flowers are sunk into the flower stalk. The fruit is oval to round. They are 1 cm long and bright orange. There are many oval seeds 2 mm long.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical lowland forest beside streams and on steep slopes.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Central America (country/location of origin), Costa Rica, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Flowers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Paleman topi panama