Edible Parts: Apical bud  Fruit  Leaves  Oil  Sap  Stem
Edible Uses: Drink  Oil

An edible oil is obtained from the fruit[46 , 301 ]. The fleshy fruit is eaten raw[317 ]. Rich in vitamins and oil[317 ]. The fruit is also dried and ground into a flour[317 ]. The fruit is 4 - 6cm long[335 ]. A juice made from the pulp of the fruit is eaten with sugar and cassava meal[301 ]. The pulp is also widely used in the production of juice, jam, liqueurs and other exotic drinks with a high vitamin C content[314 ]. A favourite native beverage is produced from the fruits. They are soaked in water till they begin to ferment, and the scales and pulpy matter soften and can be easily rubbed off in water[314 ]. When strained through a sieve it is ready for use, and has a slight acid taste and a peculiar flavour of the fruit at first rather disagreeable to European palates[314 ]. The fruit is made into a cheese-like paste that is sometimes eaten for remedying bowel problems, or to allay hunger when desperate[348 ]. An edible starch is obtained from the pith of the trunk[46 , 301 ]. Used as a sago[317 , 419 ]. Leaves - cooked[763 ]. The apical bud, often known as a palm heart', is eaten as a vegetable[763 ]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the tree because it is unable to make sideshoots[K ]. A sap obtained by tapping the young, unopened inflorescence can be drunk, boiled down to make a sugar or fermented to make palm wine[301 , 317 ]. A sweet alcoholic drink called 'item' is prepared from the sap[348 ]. The terminal bud is eaten as vegetable[317 ]. Eating this bud will effectively kill the tree since it is unable to produce side branches[K ].

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.
Antidiarrhoeal  Dysentery  Emollient  Skin  Tonic  Vitamin C

The oil from the seed is high in vitamin A and is frequently used to treat burns, because of its soothing qualities and its ability to promote the formation of scar tissue[314 ]. A pap prepared from the pith is used to treat dysentery and diarrhoea[348 ]. The fruit is made into a cheese-like paste that is sometimes eaten for remedying bowel problems, or to allay hunger when desperate[348 ]. The leaves are used in baths as an emollient[739 ]. The sap from young stems is considered tonic[739 ].

Basketry  Buttons  Fencing  Fibre  Oil  Paper  Roofing  String  Wood

Other Uses The leaves are used for covering roofs[46 , 317 ]. A full-grown fallen leaf of this tree is a grand sight. The expanded sheathing base is 30cm in diameter; the petiole is a solid beam 3 - 3.6 metres, and the leaf itself is up to 3 metres in diameter. An entire leaf is a load for one person[314 ]. A fibre is obtained from the leaves[46 ]. Used to make fishing nets, ropes, hammocks, belts, hats, mats, and baskets[317 , 768 ]. The leaf sheathes are used to make sandals[46 ]. A spongy material, obtained from the petioles of the palm, is made into bottle-stoppers, mats and sandals or is used for paper production[317 , 768 ]. The hard seeds are made into buttons and other small objects[46 , 317 ]. The wood is moderately hard and heavy, but of low durability when exposed[419 ]. The trunks are used as posts and floating bridges, and in the construction of rural buildings[46 , 419 ]. The peripheral parts of the stems serve, like the dried petioles, for the construction of rafts[317 ].

Special Uses

Carbon Farming  Food Forest