Licuala spinosa, also known as the mangrove fan palm, is a species of palm in the genus Licuala.[1] The plant is native to the wet places of fresh and salt water of Southeast Asia.[2]

Licuala spinosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Tribe: Trachycarpeae
Genus: Licuala
Species:
L. spinosa
Binomial name
Licuala spinosa
Synonyms[1]
  • Corypha pilearia Lour.
  • Licuala acutifida var. peninsularis Becc.
  • Licuala horrida Blume
  • Licuala pilearia (Lour.) Blume
  • Licuala ramosa Blume

Botany

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Mangrove fan palms grow up to 2 to 7 m (6.6 to 23.0 ft) high, with a trunk of 4-7 cm. It may grow in clumps. It prefers full sun, a lot of water, and is more cold hardy than most Licuala species.[3]

Uses

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A Cambodian name for L. spinosa is pha'aw, in that region its leaves are used to make hats and wrap food.[2] Its heart and terminal bud prepared as a vegetable are appreciated by Cambodians. In traditional Cambodian medicine, both a febrifuge remedy and for a preparation for the health of the foetus, use the root of the palm in compounds, while the bark of the trunk is used to treat tuberculosis.

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Licuala spinosa Roxb". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Pauline Dy Phon (2000). Plants Utilised In Cambodia/Plantes utilisees au Cambodge. Phnom Penh: Imprimerie Olympic. p. 406.
  3. ^ Licuala spinosa at Palm and Cycad Societies of Australia
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