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Dictyosperma album - (Bory) Scheff.

Common Name Hurricane Palm, Princess Palm, Red Palm
Family Arecaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Coastal forests[ 314 ]. Grows at low elevations generally up to 600 metres[ 299 ].
Range Africa - Mauritius, Réunion.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Dictyosperma album Hurricane Palm, Princess Palm, Red Palm


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Dictyosperma album Hurricane Palm, Princess Palm, Red Palm
https://edibleplants.org/

 

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Summary

Hurricane Palm (Dictyosperma album), otherwise known as Princess Palm or Red Palm, is a single-stemmed, slender, evergreen feather palm that reaches a height of up to 20 m and up to 16 cm in diameter. The crown is composed of 10 to 20 leaves with each leaf measuring up to 3 m long. Hurricane Palm is very attractive hence it is also grown as an ornamental in the tropics and subtropics. It is commonly found in Africa specifically in Mauritius and Reunion. Root decoction is a diuretic. The leaves and apical bud can both be cooked and consumed.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Dictyosperma album is an evergreen Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 8 m (26ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Areca alba Bory Areca aurea Van Houtte Areca borbonica Kunth Areca furfuracea H.Wendl. Areca lactea

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Apical bud  Leaves
Edible Uses:

Leaves - cooked[ 299 ]. The apical bud of this plant is highly valued as a food[ 299 ]. This palm is single-stemmed and unable to form sideshoots - harvesting the apical bud leads to the death of the plant[ K ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic

A root decoction is used as a diuretic[ 299 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Other Uses: None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Plants are able to tolerate occasional light frosts with temperatures down to -1°c[ 423 ]. Prefers a position in light shade or full sun[ 299 , 314 ]. Grows best in a well-drained soil. Tolerant of saline conditions[ 299 , 314 ]. Usually growing near the coast, the plant can withstand the strongest of winds, including salt-laden hurricanes[ 299 , 314 ]. A moderately fast growing plant[ 299 ]. Blooms repeatedly

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sown fresh, it germinates within 60 - 120 days[ 423 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: Mauritius, Reunion

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Bory) Scheff.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment

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