Scientific name: Phoenix sylvestris (L.) Roxb.
Family: Arecaceae
Bengali/Vernacular name: Khejur (Bengali), Khajur (Noakhali).
Tribal name: Keure, Kheju-ba (Marma); Thikung (Bawm); Khajur gula (Chakma); Chain-melong-chu (Chak); Chamley (Khumi); Thingzo (Lushai); Changmrong (Murang); Tang-barong-apang (Rakhaing); Kezore (Tripura).
English name: Wild date palm, Sugar date palm, Silver date palm.
Description of the plant: A tall graceful palm, 9-15 m high, up to 50 cm in diameter. Large crown and rough trunk covered with persistent leaf base. Leaves 3-4.5 m long, greyish-green, with a few short (reaching 10 cm) spines at the base; pinnules numerous, linear, 15-45 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide, ending in spinous points. Flowers small, fragrant, borne in spadices; male flowers white, female greenish. Fruiting spadix about 90 cm long, bearing oblong-ellipsoid berries, 2.5-3.2 cm long, orange-yellow when ripe, pericarp fleshy. Seed barrel-shaped, rounded at the ends.
Plant parts used: Root.
Medicinal uses: Decoction of root is used as gargling to stop toothache.
Decoction of root is taken to treat nervous debility.
Distribution: Occurs throughout the country; plenty in the western districts of the Bangladesh.
Is this plant misidentified? If yes, please tell us….
