Oncosperma fasciculatum

Oncosperma (ahnk-oh-SPERM-ah) fasciculatum (fah-sihk-oo-LAH-tuhm)
Oncosperma fasciculatum; along Hatton- Kithulgala road, near Carolina, Sri Lanka. Photo by Philippe.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Oncosperma (ahnk-oh-SPERM-ah) Species: fasciculatum (fah-sihk-oo-LAH-tuhm)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Katu kitul

Habitat and Distribution

Sri Lanka. Steep, rocky areas of low country, up country

Oncosperma fasciculatum in Madulsima mountains, Sri Lanka. "On the Passara-Madulsima road, Badulla district, Uva province." Photo by Philippe.

lowlands, and wet zones.

Description

Emergant clustering palm, trunk base thickened, abundantly spined, black spines, crownshaft and trunk have a pink coloration on juveniles. Leaves pinnate 10 to 12 in the crown, leaflets offset/plumose; lanceolate, pointed, drooping apex, scaly beneath; rachis spiny toward base. Flower Inflorescence - spadix without spines, very stout, drooping; spathes sparsely scaly, without spines. Fruit black to purple, globose drupes. Editing by edric.

Culture

Oncosperma fasciculatum grow in a ravine where the soil is rich with humus, the soil below is poor rocky, and very little organic material. Cold Hardiness Zone: 9b to maybe 29 F.

Comments and Curiosities

Conservation: Near threatend. (IUCN Redlist)