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It is a robust to massive, single-stemmed evergreen palm with an unbranched stem that can reach 20-30m long by 40-50cm diameter, swollen at the base to 85cm. It is a very useful multipurpose tree with a wide range of commodities, all parts of the trees are used.
LEAVES: The fan shaped leaves are up to 4m long and 3m across, deeply divided into leaflets and its margins armed with spines.
FLOWERS: In male plants, the small flowers are largely concealed with the scaly catkins, the much larger flowers reach 2cm wide and produce yellow to brown fruits.
FRUIT: Each fruit contains 1-3 seeds, each enclosed within a woody endocarp.
1. It is widely utilized for food, medicine, the fruits are edible.
2. The plant is grown as an ornamental.
3. The immature seed contains a sweet juice which can be drank like coconut water, and it can be eaten at all stages.
4. The young seedlings, apical bud and young leaves can be eaten.
5. The extracted sap from the stem is rich in sugars and can be made into a refreshing beverage, and fermented to make palm wine or vinegar.
6. The roots serve for the treatment of stomach parasites, bronchitis, sore throats and asthma, and can be used as mouthwash.
7. The leaves are used for various purposes including shelter, thatch, mats, baskets and other household objects.
8. Fibre obtained from the leaf is used in making nets, fibre extracted from the base of the leaf stalk has valuable qualities of resistance to chemicals, water and termites.
9. The leafstalk endings can be soaked in water to provide fibres used as sponges or filters.
10. The leaf midribs are used to make brooms, fish traps and nets.
11. An oil is extracted from the fruit and the wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal.
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