Palms   Borassus aethiopum

Common Names: Ron or Ronier palm, Black Rhun palm, African Palmyra palm Distribution & Habitat: Tropical and southern African savannah and open forest. Description: Massive solitary palmate leaved palm. Can grow up to 25m tall. General: This plant is used extensivley by the locals; the leaves and the wood for tools, and shelter, while the roots, flowers, and fruits are eaten. All parts of the tree are used. This usage has greatly reduced the numbers of these palms in habitat, but the locals are now being shown the value of conservation, i.e. if they continue using these plants as they have, they will loose them entirely. Culture: Full sun, well drained position. Drought tolerant.

Figure 1. B. aethiopum

Figure 2. B. aethiopum in habitat, Mvuu, Malawi.

Figure 3. B. aethiopum

Figure 4. B. aethiopum

Figure 5. B. aethiopum with Phoenix reclinata

Contributed by:

Kyle Wicomb (Figure 1,2,3,4&5)

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