Anahaw

Anahaw (Saribus rotundifolius) is a round-leaf fountain palm, medium-sized to large, growing between 15-27 meters high, with a slender solitary trunk about 20-25cm in diameter,. As it matures, the leaves are packed at the top of the tree leaving a straight trunk marked with prominent leaf scars. The part connecting the leaves and the trunk known as the “petiole” have hard thorns. Its green, fan-shaped leaves that grow up to one meter in diameter are pleated with approximately 2.5 to 4 cm per segment. It also produces small green flowers that develop into yellow fruits with 1.5 cm in diameter enclosing a hard, round, brown seed inside.

It is considered the National Leaves of the Philippines. Anahaw’s leaves are a massive symbol in the Philippines that are often used in awards and medals to represent a great victory, strength, and loyalty.