Sugarcane tree
Dypsis baronii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A clustering palm. Usually there are 3-5 clustered together. It grows 2-8 m tall. The trunks are 2.5-12 cm across. They are deep green. There are white or grey widely spaced rings that are from the leaf base scars. The crown-shaft is 25 cm long. It is light grey or yellowish-green and bulges at the base. It is waxy and smooth. There are usually only about 6 leaves in the leaf crown. These are 2 m long. The new leaf stalk is red. The leaves are erect but arching. The leaflets are 25 cm long and stiff. They are deep green. They grow at right angles forming a V shape. The flowering stalk is much branched. The flowers are single sex and brown or white. The fruit are round and 1.3 cm across. They are bright yellow.

There are 140 Dypsis species. They are all endemic to Madagascar.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows between 850-1470 m altitude in Madagascar. It can grow in part shade or full sun. It suits Mediterranean climates with little frost. It suits a humus rich well drained soil. In Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Australia, East Africa, Madagascar

How it is used for food

The fruit are sweet and are eaten. The palm heart is eaten.

It is of local importance.

Edible parts

Fruit, palm heart, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seeds. Seeds germinate in 1-3 months.

Its other names

Local names

Farihazo, Tongalo

Synonyms

Chrysalidocarpus baronii Becc.; Neodypsis baronii (Becc.)Jum.; Chrysalidocarpus propinquus Jum.; Neodypsis compactus Jum.;