Borassus aethiopum
 
Common Names African Fan Palm, Deleb Palm, Ron Palm, Toddy Palm, Rônier Palm
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A massive, solitary fan palm native to tropical Africa, Borassus aethiopum dominates savannas and riverine landscapes from Senegal to Ethiopia and south to northern South Africa. Known for its swollen trunk base and enormous, spiny-edged leaves, it is among the largest palms in the world. This species is culturally and economically significant, providing food, fiber, and construction materials across its range.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing but long-lived
Height: Typically 65–100 ft (20–30 m); trunk diameter up to 3 ft (1 m), swollen at base
Trunk: Thick, columnar; gray to brown; often swollen mid-trunk in older specimens
Leaves: Fan-shaped; up to 12 ft (3.7 m) wide; deeply divided; petioles armed with spines
Inflorescence: Male flowers hidden in scaly catkins; female flowers large, producing yellow to brown fruits
Fruit: Round; 1–3 seeds per fruit; edible pulp; woody endocarp
Ecology: Found in savannas, floodplains, and sandy riverbanks; adapted to fire and herbivory; widespread across sub-Saharan Africa2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; prefers seasonal moisture
Soil: Sandy or alluvial; well-drained
Temperature: Tolerates 60–113°F (15–45°C); thrives in 75–95°F (24–35°C)
Humidity: Moderate to low; adapted to semi-arid zones
Propagation: By seed; slow germination; cotyledonary petiole buries embryo for protection
Tolerance: Highly fire-adapted; tolerates browsing and drought once established
 
Landscape Use Best suited for large-scale tropical or subtropical landscapes, restoration projects, and ethnobotanical gardens. Pairs well with Adansonia digitata, Hyphaene thebaica, and Acacia senegal.