Calappa palm
Actinorhytis calapparia

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A tall palm with a narrow trunk. The trunk is grey-brown with a bright green crownshaft. It has an appearance a little like a coconut. It grows 20-30 m high. The fronds are divided along the leaf stalk into narrow leaflets. These have a sharp point. These leaflets (pinnae) have one strong mid-nerve and 4-5 parallel side veins. The leaf sheath is about 1-1.3 m long. The flowering stalk comes from below the crownshaft. It has one stiff main axis and 4-5 stiff side branches. Then there are many twigs which hang down. The whole flowering stalk is about 1 m long. There are 2 spathes or leaf like structures protecting the flowering palm stalk. These are about 1 m long. The flowers are of separate sexes both on the same tree. At the base of the flowering stalk there is one female flower to 2 male flowers but towards the tip the flowers are only male. Female flowers are larger than the male. The fruit are round and 4-5 cm across. The young nut has a juicy kernel. The nut has grooves spreading out like rays from the centre.

There are 2 Actinorhytis species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is widespread in Papua New Guinea. It grows in rainforest. It grows in well-drained rich soil with an abundance of moisture. It grows up to 1,000 m altitude. It grows in the Loyalty and Treasury Islands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands

How it is used for food

The young nut is chewed like betel nut. It is very strong. The palm heart is eaten.

It is not known if it is used for food in Papua New Guinea.

Edible parts

Kernel, cabbage, nuts masticatory, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Boluru, Jawar, Jebug sari, Pinang hantu, Pinang kelapa, Pinang penawar, Pinang sendawa, Pomau, Vekaveke

Synonyms

Actinorhytis pomau Becc.; Areca calapparia Blume; Areca cocoides Griff.; Pinanga calapparia (Blume) H. Wendl. [Illegitimate]; Ptychosperma calapparia (Blume) Miq.; Seaforthia calapparia (Blume) Mart.;