Gasigan
Pinanga heterophylla
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A slender and very small palm. The leaves are few and on each side of the stalk their are an unequal number of unevenly spread leaves. There are 7 or 8, and they have 1 to 4-ribbed segments which are smooth underneath. The flower arrangement is a spike of flowers closely arranged along a central axis with a few 3 angled branches. The fruit are small 11 to 12 mm by 5 to 5.5 mm. They are equally narrowed at both ends. The seeds are oval with a point.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They are found in primary forests of Negros and Sorsogon in the Philippines at altitudes of 100 to 700 m. In Cairns Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The bud is cooked and eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart