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Bismarckia nobilis Hildebrandt & H.Wendl.
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Medemia nobilis (Hildebrandt & H.Wendl.) Gall. |
| Common Name: | Bismarck Palm, Satra Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Palm) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 30 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Madagascar |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A magnificent, robust palm that features a heavy crown of massive bluish-green fronds, which creak in the slighest breeze, supported by a somehwat stout and smooth grey trunk. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Stem slightly swollen at the base, dark grey and smooth with leaf scars when mature, 30 to 45 cm in diamater; immature trunks retain old leafbases; crownshaft absent. |
| Foliage | Fronds palmate, green to silverish-green, waxy, up to 3 m across; leaf sheaths and bases slightly armed. |
| Flowers | Inflorescences pendent, white. |
| Fruit | Fruits ovoid, multi-clustered, speckled brown when ripe, about 3 cm across, single-seeded. |
| Cultivation | It prefers a sunny spot in well-drained soils in the tropics. Plant is rather drought tolerant once established. Propagated by seeds. Fresh seeds germinate within 2 to 4 months. |
| Etymology | Its genus epithet is named after Prince Otto Von Bismarck, who was the first chancellor for the German empire. Its species epithet means notable or showy, which probably suggests its spectacular, showy fronds. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1306 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5119 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
