中山大學植物介紹

臺灣海棗

目：棕櫚目 Arecales
科：棕櫚科 Arecaceae
屬：刺葵屬 Phoenix
種：刺葵 P. loureiroi

Distribution:

Found in the lowlands and coastal wastelands throughout Taiwan. Present in the coastal hills of the Hengchun Peninsula, the eastern coast, and various offshore islands.

Roots:

Shallow-rooted, with a wide root spread that adapts to different soil environments, increasing absorption area.The primary root is not prominent; it mainly consists of a fibrous root system, enabling effective absorption of water and nutrients from the surface soil.

Stem:

The plant grows to a height of 7-8 meters, with a diameter of 20 cm. The stem is densely covered with noticeable leaf scars, giving it a warty appearance.

Leaves:

Pinnately arranged in four rows, with leaflets extending at right angles from the main petiole. The leaflets are linear, grooved, with sharp tips, entire margins, about 30-40 cm long and 3 cm wide. The side veins are parallel with inconspicuous cross veins, and the leaflets at the base of the main petiole turn into spines.

Flowers:

Dioecious, with small fleshy spike inflorescences initially enclosed in a long oval spathe. The flowers are yellow. Male flowers have 3 tepals and 6 stamens. The ovary of female flowers consists of 3 carpels, 3 chambers, and a 3-lobed stigma. Flowering occurs from March to June.

Fruits:

The fruits are berries, long oval-shaped, about 1.3 cm long and 0.7 cm wide, initially orange, turning black when ripe. They are sweet but have relatively little flesh and are edible.

Seeds:

The seeds are brown, about 1.2 cm long and 0.5 cm wide, with a longitudinal slit in the middle.

Uses:

Planted as ornamental trees: Used in parks, gardens, schoolyards, as potted plants, and as street trees.

Edible:
a. Young shoots can be eaten raw after washing, or cooked by stir-frying, boiling, or braising, with braising being particularly recommended.
b. The black-purple fruits taste like red dates and can be eaten raw or pickled.

Brooms: Brooms made from the old leaves are known as "糠榔帚."