Phillip's palm
Heterospathe phillipsii
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A slender solitary palm. It grows about 15 m high. The trunk can be stout. It can be 20 cm across. It is fattened near the base. The fronds are light and feathery. They have many leaflets which hang over. The fronds can be 5 m long and curve over. There is no crown-shaft. The flowering stalk is thin and large. It is branched. The fruit are about 10 mm long. They turn bright red when ripe.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs on Viti Levu in Fiji. It grows on the edge of the rainforest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Fiji, Hawaii, Pacific
How it is used for food
The palm heart or cabbage is eaten. The young seeds are eaten.
Edible parts
Cabbage, seeds, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate readily. Young palms need shade.
Plants grow slowly for the first year then more quickly after that.