Phoenix sylvestris

[sibdas ghosh]

 

 Phoenix sylvestris, Beng. Hindi- Khejur. Widely grown in Bengal to
tap the phloem sap by inserting a wooden channel, as shown in photo.
The sap is sweet, taken as drink, also is made concentrate to produce
molasses- Gurh. In the day time when the temp. rises the sugary syrup
get farmented by air-borne yeasts, producing an alcoholic baeverage-
known as toddy. Birds are often found to taste it, here one tree pie
is shown (3), but I have not seen a drunk bird.

--
Sibdas Ghosh