Origin and Habitat: Endemic to South-West of Antsirabe, Antananarivo (High Plateau of Madagascar) (Malagasy Republic).
Type Locality: Andriambesoa, Betafo, Manalazina
Altitude: Around 1050 metres a.s.l.
Habitat: It is known from only one dense population of more than 1000 individuals growing among grasses on sandy riverbeds. The High Plateau of Madagascar have a rich and diverse flora, with several endemism, it is subjected to great climatic variation with up to 7 month dry season broken seasonally by the monsoon from the equator while the current of the south-east trade winds has lost its humidity after having crossed the ridge top of the Highland Plateau. Beccariophoenix alfrediiSN|24860]]SN|24860]] comes from a humid valley and proven to be hardy against frost and cold, fire, drought, and full sun.
Ecology: The seeds of Beccariophoenix alfrediiSN|24860]]SN|24860]] are an important food source for Lemurs that are the main seed dispersers.

• Beccariophoenix alfredii Rakotoarin., Ranariv. & J.Dransf.

Description: Beccariophoenix alfrediiSN|24860]]SN|24860]] is a robust, tough-leaved palm very similar in appearance to the coconut palm (Cococ nucifera), to which it is actually related, but it is a lot more cold-hardy, making it a good look-alike for the coconut in cooler climates.
Stem: Up to 15 m in height and 30 cm in diameter, unarmed, bare, with closely ringed leaf scars.
Crown: The crown holds 30–36 pinnate leaves.
Leaves: Up to 4,5 m long; leaflets approximately 120 pairs, very slender and crowded at the base, either rigid or somewhat pendulous. Basal leaflets about 47 cm long and 1 cm wide. Mid leaf, leaflets about 112 cm long and 4 cm wide. Apical leaflets smaller about 65 cm long and 1,8 cm wide. In young plants the dead leaves remain hanging on the stem longer than in older plants. The old frond abscise neatly in adults.
Inflorescence: Infrafoliar and folded by a 90 cm long, leathery spathe (sheath), which curls up on itself after abscission (due to drying out). The inflorescence stalk is 8–13 cm long and elliptic in cross-section. The rachis is very short, 8–9 cm long and bearing about 30–50 flowers closely arranged together in a spiral on the rachillae.
Fruit: Oblate (flattened spheroid), 1,6 cm wide and 2,4 cm long, dark purplish-black at maturity.

Bibliography: Major references
1) Rakotoarinivo, Mijoro; Ranarivelo, Tianjanahary; Dransfield, John (2007). "A new species of Beccariophoenix from the High Plateau of Madagascar". Palms Journal 51 (2): 63–75.
2) 2) Dransfield, John (1992). "Voanioala, the Forest Coconut". Palm Tree General Description 36 (3): 124–127.
3) Shapcott, A., Rakotoarinivo, M., Smith, R. J., Lysakova, G., Fay, M. F., & Dransfield, J. (2007). "Can we bring Madagascar's critically endangered palms back from the brink? Genetics, ecology and conservation of the critically endangered palm Beccariophoenix madagascariensis"Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society 154 (4): 589-608
4) David Bramwell "The Biology of Island Floras" Cambridge University Press, 21/lug/2011

Cultivation and Propagation: This palm is an excellent relatively slow-growing coconut look-alike palm adapt to different climates, from tropical to warm temperate, presumably it would quite a hardy plant in cultivation. It can tolerate sweltering heat and windy conditions. It may become extremely popular worldwide due to its good growth rate, and cold hardiness.
Soil: It is best grown in well-drained sandy loam soils, but it is suitable to many other soil types except those that are constantly soggy.
Light: Prefers full sun but will take some shade.
Drought tolerance: Moderate. This palm a will tolerate occasional dryness if not prolonged and can even thrives in poor, dry soils, but do better when grown in nutrient-rich soils with regular watering.
Fertilization: Need a perfect fertilizer diet including all micro nutrients and trace elements.
Aerosol salt tolerance: It is moderately salt tolerant, but does a lot better inland then it does on the coast.
Hardiness: Some cold tolerance. Seedlings of this species survived -5° C with no damage.(USDA Zone 9b-11), although it will require some protection if cold periods are longer than normal. However it can be difficult to get it to look its best without a great amount of heat and sun.
Aerosol salt tolerance: It is moderately salt tolerant, but does a lot better inland then it does on the coast.
Maintenance: Remove dried fronds.
Remarks: The plant does not transplant well, having very sensitive roots that tend to die off if manipulated. If home-grown, give some sun as with most tropical palms, and water well and feed once monthly.
Use: Its very neat appearance and stature makes it perfect near highways and used to accent residential landscapes and close to swimming pools. It is sometimes closely planted in groups of two or three.
Disease & Pests: It is quite resistant to pests but may require regular fertilization to prevent yellowing caused by potassium deficiencies.
Propagation: Fresh seeds germinate quickly within 2-6 weeks of being planted and the seedlings are attractive. Seed viability is short, sow immediately after harvesting the seeds, soak the seeds 1 day in lukewarm water, sow in moist substrate, put the pot in a plastic bag or container to maintain humidity 22-35 °C.