Ghost's Foot Tree

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Ghost' Foot Tree, Snowflakes, Trevesia sp.
A young Ghost's Foot Tree. Mature trees can reach 12 feet high.

The unusual looking leaves of this palm-like tree makes it easily identified amongst the diverse trees in the rainforest. The leaves are broad, reaching 1 feet in diameter, and are borne in whorls at the end of the branches. Each leaflet of the palmately lobed leaves is narrowed near the base before broaden again,  forming a distinctive shape resembling a footprint or snowflake. It is a sparsely branched tree, and the slender stem is dotted with many conical spikes. The umbellate inflorescence consists of numerous stalked whitish flowers.


Ghost's Foot Tree, trevesia sp., flower, inflorescence
Flowers and inflorescence of Ghost's foot Tree.

In Sumatra, peninsular Malaysia and Borneo, Ghost’s Foot Tree (Trevesia sp.) is also known as Pohon Tapak Hantu, Daun Tapak Rimau and Kruang Davud. Several species are native to this region such as Trevesia burkii, T. cheirantha and T. palmata. Because of its unique leaves, it is sometimes used as an ornamental plant. In traditional medicine, the leaves are pounded and used as a poultice to treat wounds and skin diseases.

Ghost Foot Tree, Trevesia sp., stem, spikes
Spikes on the stem of a Ghost's Foot Tree.

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