African fan palm - Borassus aethiopum

Description and Uses

Borassus aethiopum (African fan palm) is a tropical palm from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its fruit crops (medium shelflife), The crop is harvested by hand picking. After 60 years the palm can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Borassus aethiopum has a lifespan of 120 years.

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Environmental limitations

The palm is 20 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Borassus aethiopum has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. The palm`s flower-morphology is dioecious and is pollinated by .

Borassus aethiopum thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1200 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 0°C and optimally between 20 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 1200 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 500 - 1400 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 7.0 in a soil texture of sand.

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Pests and Diseases

and diseases.

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Seed Propagation

There are approximative 22000 seeds/kg. Unfortunately propagation instruction is missing.

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