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Dictyosperma album

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Dictyosperma album (Bory) Scheff.

Family Name: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms: Areca alba Bory, Linoma alba (Bory) O.F.Cook
Common Name: Princess Palm, Hurricane Palm, Common Princess Palm

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Palm
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 20 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Réunion and Mauritius
Native Habitat Terrestrial
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a palm which can reach up to 20 m tall.
Foliage Leaves are compound and feather-shaped (pinnate). Each leaf have 50 - 70 leaflets on each side of the rachis. The leaf stalk (petiole) can reach up to 15 - 45 cm long.
Flowers Inflorescence can reach up to 1.1 m long and occur below the crown shaft. Flowers are small, about 0.5 - 0.8 cm long. Male flower has 6 stamens while female flower has 3 small rudimentary stamens.
Fruit Fruit is ovoid to ellipsoid (about 1.5 - 2 cm long and 1 cm wide), fleshy and turn dark purple or black when ripe. Each fruit contains 1 seed within.
Habitat It is found in coastal forests.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Roadside Tree / Palm

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 2.5 (Palm - Solitary)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Palm) Solitary Habit, Aboveground

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1326
Species ID 2619
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 08 August 2023.
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