Description
The Saribus rotundifolius, commonly known as the Round-leaf Fountain Palm, Anahaw palm, or Footstool palm, is a medium-sized palm species widely admired for its ornamental value and cultural significance. It is native to Southeast Asia and is the national leaf of the Philippines.
Saribus rotundifolius is a hermaphrodite fan palm. The palm is erect, and only grows having a single trunk (‘solitary’). It grows at a height ranging from 15 to 25 metres, exceptionally up to 45 metres tall, and thickness of 15 to 25 cm. Its trunk is smooth and straight with a shallow rings of leaf scars.The trunk is rather massive and tapering. It usually grows to 60 feet (18 m) tall, but may rarely reach 90 feet (27 m) tall. The young trees have a green crown. This species is seldom seen with a slight skirt of drooping, dead leaves. The sheaths are chestnut brown in colour.
Its leaves are spirally arranged around the trunk.The entire leaf is some 1.2 metres in length. The leaf blade in its centre, and almost round in outline. It is regularly divided to about half of the length and 1.2 metres in diameter. The leaf segments are forked, but not deeply, at their ends. The leaf segments have one main nerve. The three-petalled flowers appear in bunches.
It is about 2cm in diameter, quite round, and coloured brick red as it ripens, ultimately becoming black when ripe.
- Saribus rotundifolius produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are typically yellowish or cream in color.
- These flowers are usually borne in cluster of inflorescences, often attracting various pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
- The fruits are small, round, and can be purple to dark brown when ripe, containing seeds that are dispersed by animals.
| Scientific Name |
Saribus rotundifolius |
| Common Names |
Round-leaf Fountain Palm, Anahaw palm, Footstool palm |
| Native Range |
Southeast Asia (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia) |
| Plant Type |
Hermaphrodite Fan Palm |
| Typical Height |
49 to 82 feet (15 to 25 meters), exceptionally up to 148 feet (45 meters) |
| Trunk Diameter |
6 to 10 inches (15 to 25 cm) |
| Leaf Diameter |
Approximately 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) |
| Flower Color |
Yellowish or Cream |
| Ripe Fruit Color |
Black |
| Family |
Arecaceae |
