Botanical Description
Anahaw (Saribus rotundifolius), also known as the Footstool Palm, is a tall palm that can reach up to almost 30 meters in height with shallow leaf scars observed throughout the trunk. It has distinct palmate leaves with long spiny petioles and can reach around 1.2 meters in diameter and a round silhouette. Its creamy-white florets are borne upon a paniculate inflorescence, these florets eventually develop into round fleshy drupe that changes from green and then red and finally black.
Uses:
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The leaf buds and the “heart” of the tree are edible and are highly priced vegetables.
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The fruit is also edible.
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The leaves are used in folk medicine for wound dressing and as a treatment for diarrhea.
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The wood of the tree is used for woodworking; the leaves are used for thatching and for making fans and hats.
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The tree is also used for landscaping.