Pinang boreng, Bogen
Iguanura geonomiformis

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. It is small and usually occurs in clusters. It grows 5 m tall. The stems are 2 cm thick. The leaves grow steeply upwards. There can be lobed or leaflets. The leaves are 50-85 cm long by 20-30 cm wide. The flowering stalk is amongst the leaves. It is 20-90 cm long and can branch into 2-7 branches. The fruit is fleshy and 1 cm long by 0.8 cm wide. It is white but turns red when mature.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the undergrowth along streams and damp sites. It can tolerate waterlogging. It grows up to 1,200 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Indochina, Malaysia, SE Asia, Singapore, Thailand

How it is used for food

The fruit are used as betel nut. The bud shoots are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit, buds, cabbage

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Pinaebong, Pinang burong, Pinang kelasak, Pinang tikus

Synonyms

Iguanura malaccensis Becc.; Iguanura wallichiana (Wallich ex mart.) Hook. f. subsp. malaccensis (Becc.) Kiew