Borassus flabellifer

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Asian Palmyra Palm
Borassus flabellifer in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Borassus flabellifer in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Borassus
L.
Species: B. flabellifer
Binomial name
Borassus flabellifer
...

Borassus flabellifer, the Asian palmyra palm, Toddy palm, Sugar palm, Cambodian palm, is robust and can live 100 years or more and reach a height of 30 m, with a canopy of leaves several dozen fronds spreading 3 meters across. The large trunk resembles that of the coconut tree and is ringed with leaf scars. Young Palmyra palms grow slowly in the beginning, but growth speeds up after. Its growth pattern, large size and clean habits make it an attractive landscape species.

Asian Palmyra Palm in Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Asian Palmyra Palm in Angkor Wat, Cambodia


Contents

[edit] Cultivation and uses

[edit] Fruit

Edible jelly seeds of palmyra palm, Guntur, India
Edible jelly seeds of palmyra palm, Guntur, India

It is known as Nungu in Tamil, Thaati Munjalu in Telugu, Munjal in Urdu, Tnaot by the Khmer, Akadiru by the East Timorese and sometimes "Ice-apple" by the British. The fruit measures 4 to 7 inches in diameter, has a black husk, and is borne in clusters. The top portion of the fruit must be cut off to reveal the three sweet jelly seed sockets, translucent pale-white, similar to that of the lychee but the flavor is milder and there is no pit. The jelly part of the fruit is covered with a thin yellowish brown skin.


The ripened fibrous outer layer of the palm fruits can also be eaten raw, boiled, or roasted.

A sugary sap, called toddy, can be obtained from the young inflorescence either male or female ones. Toddy is fermented to make a beverage called arrack, or it is concentrated to a crude sugar called jaggery. It is called Gula Jawa (Javanese sugar) in Indonesia and is widely used in the Javanese cuisine. In addition, the tree sap is taken as a laxative, and medicinal values have been ascribed to other parts of the plant.

[edit] Sprouts

In Tamil Nadu and Jaffna, India, the seeds are planted and made to germinate and the fleshy stems (below the surface) are boiled and eaten. It is very fibrous and nutritious, known as "Panai Kizhangu" or "Panamkizhangu" in Tamil.

The germinated seed's hard shell is also cut open to take out the crunchy kernel which tastes like a sweeter Water Chestnut. It is called "dhavanai" in Tamil.

[edit] Leaves

The inner Angkor Wat complex from the North-West corner within the inside of the outer wall with very tall Asian palmyra palm
The inner Angkor Wat complex from the North-West corner within the inside of the outer wall with very tall Asian palmyra palm

The leaves are used for thatching, mats, baskets, fans, hats, umbrellas, and as writing material.

In Indonesia the leaves were used in the ancient culture as paper, known as "lontar". Leaves of suitable size, shape, texture, and maturity are chosen and then seasoned by boiling in salt water with turmeric powder, as a preservative. The leaves are then dried. When they are dry enough, the face of the leaf is polished with pumice, cut into the proper size, and a hole is made in one corner. Each leaf will make four pages. The writing is done with a stylus and has a very cursive and interconnected style. The leaves are then tied up as sheaves.

[edit] Trunk

The stalks are used to make fences and also produce a strong, wiry fiber suitable for cordage and brushes. The black timber is hard, heavy, and durable and is highly valued for construction.

The young plants are cooked as a vegetable or roasted and pounded to make meal.

[edit] Crown

When the crown of the tree is cut off, we get an edible cake from which the leaves grow out. This is called pananchoru in Tamil.

[edit] Gallery

Sugar Palm in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Sugar Palm in Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Monsoon season in Kampong Speu Province with Sugar palm

Bird nest on Asian palmyra palm

Bird nest and fruit on Asian palmyra palm

Trunk



[edit] Cultural symbolism

The main entrance of Angkor Wat to the temple proper, seen from the eastern end of the Naga causeway and sugar palm
The main entrance of Angkor Wat to the temple proper, seen from the eastern end of the Naga causeway and sugar palm

The Palmyra palm is a natural symbol tree of Cambodia and grows all over the country. Specifically it can be seen near Angkor Wat and other temples of the Angkor complex[1].

The Palmyra tree is the official tree of Tamil Nadu. Highly respected in Tamil culture, it is called "karpaha" or celestial tree because all its parts without exception have a use.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ The Cambodian palm tree