News: Palmyra palm trees in Odisha are playing a significant ecological and social role. They are helping reduce lightning-related deaths, as the tall trees act as natural lightning conductors, diverting strikes away from human settlements.
About Palmyra Palm Tree (Borassus flabellifer)
- The Palmyra palm tree is commonly known as the sugar palm, toddy palm, or fan palm.
- It is native to tropical Africa but has been widely cultivated and naturalized across India.
- It is also the state tree of Tamil Nadu
- In India, it is often planted as a windbreak on plains to protect crops and settlements.
- The Palmyra palm exhibits adaptability to a wide variety of soil types, including sandy soil, red soil, black soil, and river alluvium.
- It can also thrive in arid and wasteland conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in marginal areas.
- The tree is well-suited to semi-arid regions with an annual rainfall of less than 750 mm.
- It can successfully grow at altitudes ranging from sea level up to 800 meters.
- Uses– Every part of the tree serves a purpose—whether for housing, medicine, shade, or food—making it one of the most versatile and valuable trees in India.
