Niu sakiki
Veitchia vitiensis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A solitary palm. The trunk is slender and grey. It is about 15 m tall and 20 cm across. The crown has about 8 fronds. The fronds can be 3 m long. They arch over and then hang down as they become older. The leaflets are widely spaced. They end abruptly. They are jagged at the ends. The crown-shaft is green. The flowering stalk branches 4 times. It comes out below the crown-shaft. The flowers are green. The fruit are red and oval. They are about 2.2 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Fiji it grows from sea level to 1250 m altitude. It grows in the forest.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific

How it is used for food

The seed is edible. The flower is edible. The palm heart is edible.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Mature seed germinate in 4-6 weeks. It is best to have light shade when young.

Its other names

Local names

Kaivatu, Sakiki

Synonyms

Ptychosperma vitiense H. Wendl. ex Seem.; Vitiphoenix vitiensis Burrett; Vitiphoenix smithii Burret; Veitchia vitiensis var. vitiensis H. E. Moore; Veitchia vitiensis var. microcarpa H.E. Moore; Veitchia smithii H.E. Moore;