Hyphaene coriacea Gaertn.

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Photo: Meg Coates Palgrave
Levasflor, Cheringoma, Sofala, Mozambique

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Sune Holt
Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Sune Holt
Machengue, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Sune Holt
Vilankulo, Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Sune Holt
Munavalate, Vilanculos Distr., Inhambane, Mozambique

Photo: Warren McCleland
Quiterajo, Cabo Delgado Province

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms:	Hyphaene crinita auct. Hyphaene natalensis Kunze Hyphaene ovata Furtado
Common names:	Real fan palm (English) Southern ilala palm (English)
Frequency:
Status:	Native
Description:	Palm tree. Stems erect or somewhat reclining, often suckering to form clumps. Leaves crowded on top of the stem, fan-shaped, up to 2.5 m including the petiole. Petiole armed with recurved thorns. Male and female flowers on different trees; male flowers in short spikes; female flowers in large sprays, which develop into branched trusses of fruits. Fruits distinctly pear-shaped up to 6 cm long. This species is very similar to the closely related H. petersiana and there is some debate about the exact taxonomic status of the two. H. petersiana differs mainly in the fruit being spherical. The trees of that species appear to be non-suckering and generally taller, although in areas where the trees experience little damage from elephants or man tall erect specimens of H. coriacea are not uncommon.
Notes:
Derivation of specific name:	coriacea: leathery
Habitat:	Occurring near pans and floodplains but also away from rivers.
Altitude range:
Flowering time:	Nov - Feb
Worldwide distribution:	From Somalia to northern South Africa. Generally more easterly than H. petersiana.
Mozambique distribution:	N,Z,MS,GI
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Sunday 24 June 2018
Literature:	Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 52. (Includes a picture). Coates Palgrave, K. (revised and updated by Meg Coates Palgrave) (2002). Trees of Southern Africa 3rd edition. Struik, South Africa Page 99. Da Silva, M.C., Izidine, S. & Amude, A.B. (2004). A preliminary checklist of the vascular plants of Mozambique. Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 30 Sabonet, Pretoria Page 120. Dransfield, J. (2010). Arecaceae Flora Zambesiaca 13(2) Pages 58 - 60. (Includes a picture). Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 232. As Hyphaene natalensis Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 85. as Hyphaene petersiana pro parte Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 114. Siebert, S. & Mössmer, M. (Editors) (2002). SABONET Southern Mozambique Expedition 2001; Provisional Plant Checklist of the Maputo Elephant Reserve (MER) and Licuati Forest Reserve (LFR) SABONET News 7(1) Page 24.

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Flora of Botswana: Hyphaene coriacea
Flora of Zimbabwe: Hyphaene coriacea

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Hyphaene coriacea
African Plant Database: Hyphaene coriacea
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Hyphaene coriacea
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Hyphaene coriacea
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Hyphaene coriacea
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iNaturalist: Hyphaene coriacea
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Hyphaene coriacea
JSTOR Plant Science: Hyphaene coriacea
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Hyphaene coriacea
Plants of the World Online: Hyphaene coriacea
Tropicos: Hyphaene coriacea
Wikipedia: Hyphaene coriacea