Triangle palm, Three-cornered palm
Dypsis decaryi

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It grows 3-12 m high. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. There is often a reddish brown velvety covering over the plant near the top. The trunk is free of leaves below the crown-shaft. There are close, dark grey leaf scars. The leaf crown is 5 m wide. The leaves radiate out in 3 ranks. The bases of the living leaves form a triangle at the top of the trunk. The leaves are 3.1 m long and stiffly erect with just the tips bending over. The leaflets are 50 cm long and grow at a stiff angle forming a V shape. The tips of the leaflets form long thin threadlike filaments. The flowering stalk has many branches and appears from among the leaves. It is 1.3-1.6 m long. The flowers are separately male and female with both on the one stalk. The fruit are oval and 1-2 cm long. They are light brown when ripe.

There are 140 Dypsis species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in S Madagascar. It prefers full sun and is somewhat drought tolerant. It grows in dry forest on poor soil. It needs well drained soil. It grows between 80-600 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. Coffs Harbour Botanical Gardens. Brisbane Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Hawaii, Indonesia, Madagascar (country/location of origin), Pacific, SE Asia, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten, especially by children. The fruit have been used to produce a fermented drink.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. The seeds germinate readily.

Seedling growth is rapid.

Its other names

Local names

Laafa, Menavozona, Palem segitiga

Synonyms

Neodypsis decaryi Jum.;