Window-palm
Beccariophoenix madagascariensis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A solitary palm. It grows 2-12 m high. The trunk is 24-35 cm across. The trunk is covered with old leaf bases and tightly woven brown fibres. The leaves are mostly upright and divided into leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are green and 5 m long. They grow almost directly from the top of the trunk. The leaflets are regularly spaced. They are narrow sword shaped and wavy along the edge. They are 1 m long. They are usually divided at the tips. They are bright green above and silvery grey underneath. The flowers are unisexual. The fruit are carried among the leaves. They are 3-4 cm long and oval. They are purple-brown when ripe. The fruit have 3 openings or pores, like coconut.
There is only one Beccariophoenix species. It is an endangered species and it should not be harvested for the growing tip.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows between 900-1200 m altitude in Madagascar. It suits mountain slopes and forest locations. It grows on sandy soil. It suits hardiness zones 10-11. It requires moderate moisture. It needs fertile, well drained soil. It suits bright filtered light. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, East Africa, Hawaii, Madagascar, Pacific, SE Asia, Singapore
How it is used for food
The sap of the trunk is used to prepare a sweet drink.
It is an endangered species and it should not be harvested for the growing tip.
Edible parts
Palm heart, cabbage, fruit, sap
How it is grown
Seeds are large and germinate without difficulty.
Seedling growth is moderate.
Its other names
Local names
Angolafa, Manara, Mararano, Maroala, Sikomba