Arecaceae FAMILY

Phoenix acaulis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Phoenix acaulis is a single stemmed, evergreen palm forming a short, subterranean, bulbous stem just 10cm tall covered with persistent leaf bases. A cluster of eaves from 60 - 180cm tall grow up from the stem[ 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food that is usually only consumed in times of food shortage. It also has local medicinal uses[ 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeE. Asia - mainly in the sub-Himalayan belt of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and perhaps Myanmar

HabitatOpen forest, scrublands, savannahs and pine forest understorey, often in clay soils; at elevations from 400 - 1,500 metres[ 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ].