Bungang-dakigan
Pinanga philippinensis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A small or medium sized palm with a stem 2 to 5 cm across. They have prominently stepped nodes. The crown-shaft in very conspicuous and pale coloured. It is swollen. The leaf sheaths are densely covered with greyish densely matted woolly hairs. The leaf segments are rather numerous, tapering to a point an usually 3-ribbed. They are relatively broad. The flower arrangement is a spike of flowers closely arranged around a central axis with a few scattered branches. The fruit is narrowly oval and 11 to 14 mm by 5 to 8 mm.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They are common on exposed ridges in the mossy forests. They are also sometimes found in valleys at altitudes of 800 to 1800 m in the Philippines. It suits tropical places. In Cairns BG.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, Pacific, Philippines (country/location of origin), SE Asia
How it is used for food
The bud is cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 3-4 months to germinate.