Dypsis oreophila
Beentje
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Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (via Wikimedia Commons)
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Summary
Source: WikipediaDypsis oreophila is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is found only in Madagascar. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
A clustering palm native to Madagascar's forests, growing 2-8 m high with a slender trunk only 3-4 cm across, found at 500-1700 m altitude in tropical conditions.
Edible Uses
Leaves - cooked. The palm heart (apical bud) is reported to be an excellent vegetable. Harvesting this heart leads to the death of the individual stem since it is unable to produce side shoots.
Medicinal Uses
The plant (parts not specified but probably the bark and/or the fruits) is used in the treatment of headaches, jaundice and hepatitis; and also as an aid to lactation.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in forest between 500-1700 m altitude in Madagascar.
Where It Grows
Africa, East Africa, Madagascar,
Notes
There are 140 Dypsis species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Fitsiriky, Kindro, Lafaza
References (5)
- Dransfield, J. & Beentje, H., 1995, The Palms of Madagascar. Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew and The International Palm Society. p 226
- Grubben, G. J. H. and Denton, O. A. (eds), 2004, Plant Resources of Tropical Africa 2. Vegetables. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. p 290
- Johnson, D.V., 1998, Tropical palms. Non-wood Forest products 10. FAO Rome. p 114
- van der Burg, W.J., 2004. Dypsis baronii (Becc.) Beentje & J.Dransf. [Internet] Record from Protabase. Grubben, G.J.H. & Denton, O.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa), Wageningen, Netherlands. < http://database.prota.org/search.htm>. Accessed 15 October 2009.
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
