Hyphaene thebaica - gingerbread palm, African doum palm

***Hyphaene* *thebaica***

Common name: gingerbread palm, African doum palm (English)

Family: Arecaceae (Palm)

Distribution: W. Trop. Africa to Egypt and Arabian Pen.

Life form: Tree

Description: Doum palm is one of the very few palms in the world that branches above ground, creating a symmetrical fan of equally divided branches. This palm branches by splitting in two at the growing tip, called dichotomy. This unique palm is native from West Tropical Africa to the Arabian Peninsula. It can reach a height of up to 50 ft. It has costapalmate leaves and petioles armed with upward curving black spines. Its fruits are edible and date-like. It prefers full sun and good drainage.

1: Plot 114 (114) • Accession: 58837*H • Origin: Ghana
2: Plot 114 (114) • Accession: 58837*J • Origin: Ghana
3: Plot 185 (185) • Accession: 57538*A
4: Plot 185 (185) • Accession: 57538*B
5: Plot 185 (185) • Accession: 6595*D • Origin: Ethiopia
6: Plot 185 (185) • Accession: 6595*F • Origin: Ethiopia

Fairchild Botanic Garden

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Taxon

***Hyphaene* *thebaica***

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