Hydriastele vitiensis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A tall palm. It grows 25 m high. The trunk is smooth and slender. It is grey-brown and 30 cm across. The crown has 20 or more fronds. The fronds arch over and the leaflets stick upwards. The fronds can be 2.5 m long. The crown-shaft is long and fattened. It is light green-brown. The flowers come out below the crown-shaft. The flower stalk is compact and fans out like a horse's tail. It is creamy-yellow. The young fruit are red and become yellow to white when ripe. The fruit are small and 10 mm long. They are slightly curved.

There are about 42 Hydriastele species with 32 in New Guinea.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally on Viti Levu in Fiji. It usually grows on ridges between 300-600 m altitude. It probably needs planty of moisture, good drainage and good soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Hawaii, Pacific

How it is used for food

The palm heart is eaten.

Edible parts

Palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate readily within 2 months.

Seedlings grow slowly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Gulubia microcarpa Essig;