Samar abiki
Pinanga samarana
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A small slender palm. The leaf segments are sword shaped tapering to a point. They are unequal and straight, 60 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. The lower surface is sprinkled with light coloured dots on a reddish leaf. The flowers are along a central axis with strongly flattened branches. The fruit is shaped like a spindle tapering at both ends. They are 15 to 18 mm long and 1 cm thick.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. They occur in forests at low and medium altitudes. Reported only from Samar in the Philippines.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The bud is cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart