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Synonyms: |
Borassus flabellifer L. var. aethiopum (Mart.) Warb. |
Common names: | Borassus palm (English) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Large palm tree. Stems erect, up to 20 m, with a distinct swelling above the middle. Leaves crowded on top of the stem, fan-shaped, blue-green up to 4 m including the petiole. Petiole armed with recurved thorns. Flowers in large branched sprays, unisexual on separate trees, female flowers larger than male. Fruit large, 12-18 cm in diameter, subspherical, orange-brown. |
Notes: | |
Derivation of specific name: | aethiopum: Ethiopia, the name of the sub-Saharan biological region before the country formerly known as Abyssinia claimed the name Ethiopia. |
Habitat: | In moist open woodland and riverine areas or floodplain alluvium. |
Altitude range: | Up to 400 m |
Flowering time: | Aug - Oct |
Worldwide distribution: | Sudanian, Zambezian and Coastal phytochoria, extending to northern South Africa. |
Malawi distribution: | N |
Growth form(s): | Tree, shrub over 2 m. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | Zophopetes dysmephyla (Larval foodplant) |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Content last updated: | Wednesday 2 September 2015 |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 51. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 9. Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 120. Dransfield, J. (2010). Arecaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(2) Pages 61 - 63. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 232. Fanshawe, D.B. (). District vegetation reports Division of Forest Research, Kitwe (roneo). Fanshawe, D.B. (1971). The Vegetation of Zambia. Division of Forest Research, Kitwe. Fowler, D.G. (2007). Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses, Kew Publishing Golding, J.S. (ed.) (2002). Zimbabwe Plant Red Data List. Southern African Plant Red Data Lists. SABONET 14 Page 162. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Phiri, P.S.M. (2005). A Checklist of Zambian Vascular Plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 32 White, F. (1962). Forest Flora of Northern Rhodesia Oxford Univ. Press. White, F. (1983). The Vegetation of Africa. A descriptive memoir. UNESCO, Paris |
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