Acanthophoenix rubra

Botanical Description

Acanthophoenix rubra is a single-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing up to 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem, which can be up to 18cm in diameter, is topped by a crown of up to ten leaves that can each be up to 3 metres long[ 299 Title Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. Publication Author Website http://www.prota.org Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible young leaves and medicinal uses. It is cultivated for its edible leaf bud within its native range, and is also widely grown as an ornamental, especially in Mauritius[ 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. ]. Found only in Mauritius and Réunion. In Réunion only a single population of 150 mature individuals in Etoile valley in the eastern range remains viable. Regeneration is occasional. 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. ].