Hyphaene thebaica (Doum Palm, Gingerbread Tree)

Botanical Information

FamilyArecaceae
GenusHyphaene
Speciesthebaica
CategoryTropicals, Woody
TypeTree (evergreen)
OriginNative to the Arabian Peninsula and the northern half of Africa.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		The fruit is edible.

Details

USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season preotection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Height17 m

Description and Growing Information

ShapeUpright, tall and branching.
LandscapeOrnamental use and shade planting.
CultivationFull sun in well-drained and moist soil.
HabitatWadis, oasis and rocky hillsides.
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe trunk can grow to be 90 cm wide. The branches have tufts of large leaves at the end of branches.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaf stalks are 1 m long, shealthing the branch at the base and armed with stout upward-curving claws. The leaves are fan-shaped and are 120 cm wide and 180 cm long.
Flower DescriptionMale and female flowers are produced on separate trees. Inflorescences are similar in appearance, 1.2 m long, branching irregularly and with 2 - 3 spikes from each branchlet.
Fruit DescriptionLarge, woody, oval fruit is produced on female trees containing a single seed that remains on the tree for extended periods.
Colour DescriptionThe bark is a dark grey. The leaves are green, dark green and yellow. The fruit are orange.
Texture DescriptionThe bark is smooth.

Photographs