2025-04-19
The ‘Cannonball’ Palm
Pholidocarpus macrocarpus Becc.
Vernacular name: Kepau, Kapao, Kepang
Pholidocarpus macrocarpus is a rare palm endemic to Malaysia and Thailand’s inland lowland peat swamp forests. Similar to Livistona and Saribus, it is a solitary palm with a large crown of fan-shaped leaves but the fruits are larger (10 – 12 cm wide) and corky. The petiole are armed and has two yellow stripes.
Pholidocarpus macrocarpus can grow up to 30 – 40 m tall with enough water and light. With that height, the falling fruit really looks like a ‘Cannonball’ coming down. However, the corky fruits are slightly spongy and can absorb the impact well. If the outer layer of the fruits were removed, you may see and feel the dense soft bristles of the seeds.
There are only two Pholidocarpus species in Peninsular Malaysia. The another species is Pholidocarpus kingianus with smaller fruits. Both species were planted in our garden under ex-situ conservation programme. The Pholidocarpus macrocarpus tree in Suriana Botanic Conservation Gardens was fruiting abundantly in April 2025.
Please contact us if you are interested to acquire some Pholidocarpus macrocarpus seeds to grow for your garden landscape and helping ex-situ conservation of this species at the same time.
