Bussu palm

This large palm can grow up to 20 or 25 metres high, with leaves that grow between 7 to 10 metres long, making them some of the largest leaves of this plant group. The leaves are leathery and full, unlike the pinnated leaves of many other palms.

Bussu palms have large inflorescences that are protected by fibrous spathes. The inflorescences are leathery, grow at the leaf axes, and only some pollinating insects are able to access the flowers. The whiteish and cream-coloured male flowers are small and abundant. The female flowers are larger, globular, and protected by a thick bract.

The fruits are drupes that are between 4 and 7 cm in diametre. They are green and turn orange-brown when ripe. The fruits grow in large clusters and their skin is scaly, rough, and very hard. Each fruit contains only one seed.

Though they can grow very tall, palms are herbaceous plants. Unlike trees, they don’t grow woody trunks.