Langkap
Arenga obtusifolia
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A clumping palm. The trunks are stout and fibrous. They can be 8 m tall and 17-30 cm across. The fronds are 6 m long by 3 m wide. The trunks become bare and have steps up them. The leaflets are leathery and crowded. They are long and narrow. They are 1.6 m long by 8 cm wide. They are bright green on the upper surface and silvery underneath. The flowering stalks are 1.2-1.5 m long. The flowers are yellowish-brown. The flowers extend upwards. The fruit are large and black. They are the size of a small apple.
There are 17-20 Arenga species.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It needs an open sunny position. It grows in Peninsula Malaysia and Sumatra, in coastal locations. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Townsville arboretum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia, India, Indonesia (country/location of origin), Malaysia (country/location of origin), SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand, USA
How it is used for food
The palm heart is edible. The endosperm of the fruit is edible. The pith is sweet and edible.
Edible parts
Palm heart, endosperm, fruit, cabbage, stem pith, starch
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or suckers.
Its other names
Local names
Palem langkap, Umbut puli