Fiji Fan Palm, Pacific fan palm
Pritchardia pacifica

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A fan palm. It grows to about 10-15 m high. The trunk is 20 cm across. It has vertical cracks. The trunk is slim and covered with old leaf bases especially near the top. It has large stiff, fan shaped leaves. They can be 1.8 m long. These are held erect. It has many fine segments. The flowers grow among the leaves. Several flowering stalks occur. There is a distinct stalk and flowers in a cluster near the tip. The fruit are produced in abundance. They are small, round and black when ripe. They are 12 mm across.

There are about 40 Pritchardia species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical dry forests. It needs well drained soil. It will grow in sun of light shade. Adelaide Botanical Gardens. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. In Townsville Queens garden. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Cook Islands, Dominican Republic, Fiji, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Kiribati, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Pacific (country/location of origin), Rotuma, Samoa, SE Asia, Tokelau, Tonga (country/location of origin), Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten.

A common palm in the Pacific and the seeds are commonly eaten in some places. The small fruit are especially eaten by children. It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, palm heart ?

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate easily. Young plants can easily die.

Once established, plants are fast growing in the tropics.

Its other names

Local names

Dabam, Fakamalu, Fak maru, Masei, Niu masei, Niu piu, Pacific Fan palm, Palem kipas fiji, Piu, Sakiki, Te bam

Synonyms

Eupritchardia pacifica (Seem. & Wendl.) O. Ktze.;