Arecaceae FAMILY Critically Endangered

Dypsis basilonga

Edibility

3/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Dypsis basilongais a solitary stemmed evergreen palm growing 4- 6 metres tall. The unbranched stem can be 12cm in diameter, topped by a crown of leaves. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. This species has a small population, with fewer than 30 mature individuals known from the entire distribution range. Harvesting for its edible heart and collection of its seed for the horticultural trade are the main threats, but the habitat at one of the sites is also under pressure from expanding agricultural activities. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeAfrica - eastern Madagascar.

HabitatFlat topped mountains on gneiss rocks where moss is abundant, indicating high humidity levels. Found at elevations from 300 - 1,000 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].