Palmyra Palm

Borassus flabellifer

Physical Characteristics

Borassus flabellifer is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Guinea.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Oil Sap Seed Stem Edible Uses: Drink Oil Salt Sweetener Fruit - raw or cooked[ 297 , 301 ]. The immature fruits are pickled[ 301 ]. The tender flesh of young fruits is cooked in curry[ 303 ]. The ripe fruit has a yellow edible pulp with a distinctive aroma[ 303 ]. The mature fruit is soaked in water, after which the wiry fibers are extracted, the yellow pulp mixed with rice starch, this is then folded inside a banana leaf and later steam-cooked[ 404 ]. The fruit is a globose to subglobose drupe, 15-20 cm in diameter, produced in large clusters on the tree[ 303 , 335 ]. A sugar-rich sap is obtained from the inflorescence[ 297 ]. It is obtained by first tying the developing inflorescence together to prevent it opening, then beating it daily for several days with a wooden mallet. After a few days, a slice is cut daily from the end of the inflorescence and, almost a week later, the sap begins to flow[ 297 ]. This can continue for several months so long as a fresh slice is removed each day[ 297 ]. Up to 20 litres of sap can be obtained each day from larger trees[ 297 ]. The juice can be drunk, or concentrated by evaporation to form a sweet syrup or a solid palm sugar known as jaggery[ 297 ]. The soft upper 10 metres of the trunk contains some starch, which may be harvested in times of food scarcity[ 303 ]. Immature, jelly-like seeds[ 301 ]. The young solid or gelatinous endosperm of the seeds is eaten fresh or in syrup[ 303 ]. Sprouted seedlings - peeled and eaten raw or cooked[ 301 , 303 ]. They can be sun-dried for later use[ 301 ]. They may be slightly toxic, but are considered a delicacy in some areas[ 303 ]. A salt is made from the leaves[ 46 , 301 ]. Apical bud[ 301 , 303 ]. Eating this bud effectively kills the plant since it is unable to produce side branches[ K ]. Inflorescence - cooked. Added to soups and curries[ 301 ].

Medicinal Uses

Anthelmintic Antiinflammatory Antitussive Diuretic Dysentery Laxative Mouthwash Skin Stimulant Tonic Innumerable traditional medicinal uses are known for all parts of the toddy palm[ 303 ]. The young plant is said to relieve biliousness, dysentery and gonorrhea[ 404 ]. Young roots are anthelmintic and diuretic[ 404 ]. A decoction is given in certain respiratory diseases. Dried roots can also be smoked to heal nasal complaints[ 404 ]. The ash of the flower is taken to relieve heartburn and enlarged spleen and liver[ 404 ]. The bark decoction, with salt, is used as a mouth wash[ 404 ]. A charcoal made of the bark serves as a dentifrice[ 404 ]. Sap from the flower stalk is prized as a tonic, diuretic, stimulant, laxative and anti phlegmatic and amoebicide[ 404 ]. Sugar made from this sap is said to counteract poisoning and it is prescribed in the treatment of liver disorders[ 404 ]. When candied, it is a remedy for coughs and various pulmonary complaints[ 404 ]. Fresh toddy, heated to promote fermentation, is bandaged onto all kinds of ulcers[ 404 ]. The apical bud, leaf petioles, and dried male flower spikes all have diuretic activity[ 404 ]. The pulp of the mature fruit relieves dermatitis. It is also useful as an anti-inflammatory and for dropsy and gastric conditions[ 404 ]. Also has potential immuno-suppressive action. Constituents are: gum, fat and albuminoids[ 404 ].

Known Hazards

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling