Borassus flabellifer L.

കരിമ്പന

Family : ARECACEAE/PALMAE

Synonym : Borassus flabelliformis Murr. 

Common Names : Ampana, Karimbana, Palmyra palm

Flowering Period : March-September

Distribution : Native of Africa; introduced and cultivated in Indo-Malesia and Australia

Habitat : In dry areas and along bunds in paddy fields

Uses : Toddy production, fodder. The young plant is said to relieve biliousness, dysentery and gonorrhea, young roots are anthelmintic and diuretic. A decoction is given in certain respiratory diseases. Dried roots can also be smoked to heal nasal complaints.

Key Characters :

Borassus flabellifer are trees with stem obscurely hoped and Leaves simple, palmate; leaflets, split. Spadices interfoliar, large, dioecious. Male flowers are small, clustered; Sepals are oblong. Petals are obovate. Stamens 6. Female flowers are large, globose. Perianth fleshy. Sepals imbricate. Petals are smaller, convolute. Ovary globose. Ovules basal. Stigmas 3, sessile, recurved. Fruit is a Drupe, yellow black when ripe.