Borasus aethiopum
Borassus aethiopum (African fan palm) is widespread and common across sub-Saharan Africa where it is a well known and con- spicuous component of palm savannas. B. aethiopum produces a large stem to 25 m tall, and 80 cm diameter. The stem is ventricose with a prominent swelling below the crown. Roots are ad- ventitious – they originate from the lower part of the stem forming a dense mat in the surface layers of the soil. The leaves are costapalmate, with 80–170 cm long costa. There are 18–27 leaves in the crown. The petiole is robust (130–220 cm long) with large, recurved black teeth along the margins. B. aethiopum is dioecious, having staminate and pistillate flowers in separate individuals. The fruits are massive, ovoid (7–17 7–11 cm), and orange at maturity. The mesocarp is pulpy and fragrant, containing many longitudinal fibers. There are three pyrenes in the fruit. [1]
References
- , “A revision of Borassus L. (Arecaceae)”, Kew Bulletin, vol. 62, 2007.