Phoenix pusilla

Botanical Description

Phoenix pusilla is an evergreen palm tree, producing one or a cluster of unbranched stems up to 6 metres tall and 30cm in diameter. The stems are thickly clothed with old leaf sheaths and topped by a crown of leaves are up to 3 metres long[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 464 Title A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon Publication Author Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Dulau and Co; London. Year 1898 ISBN Description Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet. , 1737 Title A Monograph of Phoenix L. (Palmae; Coryphoidede) Publication Kew Bulletin Vol 53, 3 , 513-575, 1998 Author Barrow S.C. Website http://10.2307/4110478 Publisher Year 1998 ISBN Description ]. An edible starch is obtained from the stems in times of food shortage. The leaves are used locally for making baskets, mats etc.