Heterospathe elmeri

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. It grows to 8 m high. The leaves are erect and 3-4 m long. The leaflets are many and narrowly sword shaped. They are regularly spaced and 60 cm long. They hang down.

There are about 32 Heterospathe species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in dense rainforest at low altitudes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The nut is used as a betel substitute. The palm heart is edible.

Edible parts

Nuts, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

It is slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ptychoraphis elmeri (Becc.) Becc.; Ptychoraphis microcarpa Becc.; Rhopaloblaste elmeri (Becc.) Becc.; Rhopaloblaste microcarpa (Becc.) Becc.;