SafePlants

Borassus (Palmyra Palm)

Borassus is a genus of fan palms comprising five species. These palms are native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and New Guinea.

Considerations for Pets

• Borassus palms have massive fan leaves which have short, spiny stalks split at the base.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Borassus
• Common Names: Palmyra palm, African fan palm, Toddy palm, Sugar palm, Deleib palm, Ron palm, Lontar palm
• Borassus aethiopum may be referred to as African fan palm, African palmyra palm, deleb palm, or ron palm.
• Borassus flabellifer may be referred to as Asian palmyra palm, toddy palm, or sugar palm.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
• Borassus flabellifer L.
• Synonym: Borassus aethiopum Mart.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and New Guinea.
• Borassus flabellifer is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Nepal and India.
• Borassus aethiopum is a species from Africa.
• Borassus palms on the island of Soqotra have been tentatively assigned to B. flabellifer.
• Borassus aethiopum is naturally widespread in Cameroons Savannah regions.

Ecological Role

• Borassus aethiopum is well adapted to fire and herbivory.
• Palmyra palm trees (Borassus flabellifer) play a role in sand fly distribution.
• Borassus aethiopum is a main component of palm savannas.
• Elephant-induced damage drives spatial isolation of the dioecious palm Borassus aethiopum in the Pendjari National Park.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Massive palms that can grow to a considerable size.
• Borassus aethiopum is an unbranched palm growing up to 20 m tall.
• Tall erect palm with fan-shaped leaves and a black stem, usually 15-20 m but sometimes 30 m tall.

Uses

• Cultivated for its edible fruits and for its sap, which can be used to produce sugar.
• Borassus aethiopum is the third most used palm species in traditional medicines in Africa.

Interactions with other organisms

• Elephant-induced damage drives spatial isolation of the dioecious palm Borassus aethiopum in the Pendjari National Park.