Doum palm

Doum palm Hyphaene thebaica

Description

A slender palm tree, Hyphaene thebaica, native to the Nile Valley of northeast Africa. Fronds from the doum palm yield a stiff fiber that has been used for basketry, mats, tent covers, scrubbing brushes, brooms, and cords. Doum palm wood is dense and strong. It has been used for boats, carpentry and veneer (Gale et al 2000).

Synonyms and Related Terms

Hyphaene thebaica; doom palm; dom palm; gingerbread palm

Resources and Citations

• R.Gale, P.Gasson, N.Hepper, G.Killen, "Wood" in Ancient Egyptian Materials and Technology, P.Nicholson, I.Shaw (eds.), Cambridge University Press, 2000, p. 334-371.

• F. Kidd, Brushmaking Materials, Bristish Brush Manufacturers, London, 1957

• Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doum_palm (Accessed Jan. 25, 2006)