The Makalani Palm

Ecology

These palms grow well in areas with a shallow slightly alkaline water table and are therefore prevalent on soils with a relatively high salt content. Generally on sandy soils. The ripening of the seed takes about two years. While ripe the seed can remain several years on the tree. A Makalani dominated grass land consists mainly of Couch grass, Cynodon dactylon, which often grows right up to the stem. The grass also tolerates high salt content and are sometimes found covered by a layer of grey sodium bicarbonate. The Palm Swift is closely associated with the Makalani. They can be seen nesting in a vertical position underneath the leaves. These birds have evolved a unique method of preventing the eggs from falling by glueing them in place with saliva.

Uses

The young unopened leaves are used for weaving baskets. They are separated into thin fibrous strings and then dyed. The usually brown coloured fibres which pattern the baskets are obtained by boiling the leaves a whole day together with the pounded bark of Bird plum, Berchemia discolor. The sap is tapped for wine production. The freshly tapped sap is very refreshing, tasting much like ginger beer and is slightly intoxicating. If allowed to ferment however it becomes markedly potent. An average tree is said to produce about 60 litres of sap. Unfortunately the traditional way of obtaining the sap kills the tree.

Woman making baskets from young Makalani leaves

Ideas for Other Uses of Makalani

Ivory

The hard ivory coloured seed within the fruit is known as vegetable ivory. The Makalania fruit closely resembles the commercial vegetable ivory of South America. An important home industry many places in South America is the production of rings, bracelets, ornaments, buttons, etc. The sale of these products makes an important contribution to the family’s economy. Similar activities could be started in Owamboland to generate some income.

Fence

Makalani is very easy to grow in Owamboland. For many years the leaves of the young palm tree form a dense bush. A stand of young makalani bushes is impossible for animals to go through and they will only eat the rough leaves after an extended period of drought when little other green is left. The hardiness of the plant suggests that Makalani can be used for live fencing around schools and fields. If the seeds are planted on the border of the school ground or field, about 1 meter apart and 10 cm under the soil surface, a dense live fence would be formed in 4 - 5 years. As the trees are becoming bigger their trunks could be used as poles on which a wire fence can be fixed. Makalani as live fence has not yet been tested. However any farmer could do the experiment. Establishment is without any costs, and the coming palm trees could supply the area with a wide range of valuable products. According to local farmers the Makalani does not compete with the crops for water or nutrients. It is however possible the Makalani attracts armoured crickets, which can hide in the leaves.

Shade

In many places, such as school yards, a lot of Makalani seeds are dropped and germinate. With a little protection the trees can grow up and give valuable shade.

Propagation

Makalani can only be propagated by seeds. Sowing should be direct, and preferably where a hard pan is present. A hardpan usually ensures a period of water logging in which period the seed takes up enough water to germinate. A deep sandy soil is not suitable for makalani. The developing taproot makes makalani unsuitable to be raised in a nursery. The long taproot also makes it impossible to transplant Makalani wildings. Sowing can take place all year round, and most seeds will eventually germinate. It can take more than two years after sowing before the seedling emerges.

Seed Collection Period

Seeds can be collected all year round from the ground. In general seeds with a damaged shell will germinate quickest.

Storage

If kept dry the seeds can be stored for many years.

Seed Treatment

Germination can be sped up by damaging the fibrous shell around the seed by fire. This can be done by placing the seeds in fire, until the seed coat starts burning and then immediately cover the seeds with sand to extinguish the fire. Soaking the seed for 24 hrs in cold water can also speed up the germination.