Phoenix pusilla

Ceylon date palm
A fruiting specimen of P. pusilla at Guindy National Park in Chennai
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Genus:	Phoenix
Species:	P. pusilla
Binomial name
Phoenix pusilla Roxb.

Phoenix pusilla (pusilla, Latin: tiny or weak) or Ceylon date palm is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, endemic to southern India and Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon). They are found in lowlands, ridges and on hills. No taller than 5 m, this species is usually single-stemmed but clumps do occur naturally. At 25 cm in diameter, the trunks are covered with distinct leaf-base scars, forming a 'wicker' pattern. Their distinguishable trunks have made them popular in cultivation. They are drought tolerant and slow-growing.

In Sri Lanka, the plant is known as இசம (Icham) and Cittintu in Tamil, Eentha and Chitteenthal in Malayalam and Parusakah in Sanskrit. In Sinhala, it is called Indi-gaha, (ඉංදි ගහ). The name is most likely derived from "indo", meaning "of Indian origin". Its Malayalam, Telegu and Tamil names however also contain an intu or ita ending. In Hindi it is known as Palavat, and in Malayalam it is Chiteental.

Medicinal properties

Extracts from the plant are believed to pacify burning sensation, fever, cardiac debility, peptic ulcer and general weakness, besides the doshas of vitiated vata, and pitta.

References

• Riffle, Robert L. and Craft, Paul (2003) An Encyclopedia of Cultivated Palms. Portland: Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-558-6 / ISBN 978-0-88192-558-6 (page 403)
• http://www.pacsoa.org.au/palms/Phoenix/pusilla.html
• Nucleated succession by an endemic palm Phoenix pusilla enhances diversity of woody species in the arid Coromandel Coast of India [1]
• http://www.palmworld.org/palmworld-Phoenix-pusilla.html