Branched palm, Ravan taad, Doum palm (Hyphaene dichotoma)

Among those palms which have branching, Ravan taad (Hyphaene dichotoma) is the only one (as far as I know) that produces multiple branching above ground. There are many palms which grow in clusters. These suckering palms branch underground or just on soil surface. Occasionally Areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) can be seen having a branch well above ground. Coconut trees (Cocos nucifera) are single stem trees. But I know of at least two Coconut palms which have branched well above ground. A coconut palm with two branches was there on Sindhudurg fort in Konkan, Maharashtra. In Santacruz West, Mumbai also there was a coconut tree with 3 branches. But such branching is not normal.

Hyphaene dichotoma

Branched palm, Ravan taad, Doum palm (Hyphaene dichotoma)

Branched palm, Ravan taad, Doum palm (Hyphaene dichotoma)

Ravan taad is indigenous to India.  It is found growing naturally in coastal areas of Gujarat and Maharashtra. In many botanical gardens or private gardens this palm also can be seen. In Kolkata, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, one can see a large number of these palms.

Hyphaene dichotoma

This palm is very slow growing. It starts branching only after it has grown to certain height. Male and female inflorescence grows on separate trees. Hence to get fertilized fruit, one has to have both male and female trees.

Male tree

Female tree

The fruit is a hard shell nut. Outer skin is orange when the fruit is mature. The size of the fruit is about 6cm in length and about 4cm in diameter. I had planted about 10 fruits of this plant, out of which only 2 sprouted in to new growth. It took about 12 months for sprouting the seeds.

Fruit

Seed sprouting after 1 year