Philippines fan palm
Saribus merrillii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A small palm with fan shaped leaves. The trunk is 18 m high. It is 25 cm across. The leaves are entire in their central part and divided around the edges. The leaves of adult plants are spiny. The flowers are singly and relatively large. They are 4 to 4.5 mm long. The fruit are round and 22 to 23 mm across. They have a very dark brown polished surface. The young fruit are oblong and narrow towards the base.

There are 28 Livistona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They are widely distributed in the forested areas of the Philippines. It grows in clearings in rainforest. In Townsville Palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Pacific, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia

How it is used for food

The bud is cooked and eaten.

Edible parts

Cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Merrill anahau, Palem kipas filippina

Synonyms

Livistona blancoi Merr.; Livistona merrillii Becc.; Livistona whitfordii Becc.;