Banisan
Pinanga speciosa
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A small slender palm. It has a solitary ringed trunk. It grows about 10 m tall. The trunk has blackish- green tinges. The crown-shaft is dark coloured. The leaves are dark green with leaflets along the stalk. The leaf segments are equal distance and large and straight. They are 2 to 3 ribbed and of a rather soft texture. The fruiting stalk is branched. The fruit are small. They are 15 mm by 9 mm and oval with the rounded part on top. They occur in 2 opposite rows. The seed is oblong and the embryo at a slight angle.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They are found in primary forests at altitudes of 400 to 1200 m. They occur from Agusan, Davao and Zamboanga in the Philippines. It suits tropical locations. It grows in shady situations.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The bud is eaten cooked.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart