| Binomial
|
Caryota urens L.
|
| Family |
Arecaceae
|
| Tamil Name |
Koonthal panai/ Olathi panai (கூந்தல் பனை)
|
| Tree |
Tall evergreen.
|
| Trunk |
Cylindrical, grey with clear rings spaced well apart.
|
| Flowers |
Small, unisexual, massed on long ponytail-like tassels.
|
| Flowering Period |
Throughout the year
|
| Fruits |
Small, ovoid, dark red when ripe.
|
| Pollinators |
Bees
|
| Country of origin |
India, Burma and Sri Lanka |
| About thee tree
|
The tree is often cultivated as an ornamental tree. The fruit pulp is edible when powered after sun drying and the leaves when cooked. Sugar and alcoholic beverages can be made using the sap obtained from inflorescence, sago using starch from the stems.
The root is used against tooth discomforts and the bark and seeds against boils. Dried branchless leaves are used as fishing rods. Leaf bases, on the other hand are sources of a very strong, fine, soft, and durable fiber. |
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