Metroxylon warburgii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A sago palm. There is only one trunk. It is about 7 m high. The trunk is 30 cm across. The trunk tapers from about the middle to the top. The leaves are dark green and about 3 m long. They arch over. The leaflets grow at an angle giving a V shaped leaf. The flower is at the top of the palm. It is very large with thousands of small yellow flowers. The flowering stalk is about 3 m long. The flowering stalk is branched 3 times. The fruit are pear shaped and brown. They are about 12 cm long by 9 cm wide. These are covered with an intricate pattern of scales. The fruit are held erect. The palm dies after flowering.

There are 8 Metroxylon species. Leaves are used for thatch.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in low swampy areas and hill slopes at low altitude. It originally came from Vanuatu and the Santa Cruz islands of the Solomon Islands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Fiji, Pacific, Rotuma, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Vanuatu

How it is used for food

The stem starch is eaten. The young fruit are eaten raw after the thick skin has been peeled off.

Edible parts

Starch, fruit, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Enkul, Inkoko, Koko, Laukoko, Lovnete, Natakra, Natalawa, Natangora, Natangura, Netato, Nete, Nindru ambih, Niu lotuma, Noeroe, Nokwo, Notah, Nuwauriet, Oe, Ole, Ota, Otovo, Sokora, Tangula, Tangura, Tenebee, Tsuku, Uluwar, Wataghor

Synonyms

Coelococcus warburgii Heim.; Metroxylon upoluense has been used incorrectly for this plant.