Soga
Metroxylon vitiense

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm with a trunk up to 15 m high and 1 m across. The trunk is often larger near the base. It is covered with root spines. It has many leaves which stick upright or arch over. They are 5 m long. The dead leaves often hang on the trunk. The blades are 5 m long. The leaves and leaf stalks are covered with thorns. The trunk develops a large flower at the top. It is 4 m long and has spreading and hanging branches. The fruit are shaped like a top. They are 7 cm x 5 cm and yellowish-brown when ripe.

There are 8 Metroxylon species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. Fiji and Rotuma. It grows along rivers and is planted in gardens. It grows in Pandanus swamps. It suits swamps but can grow in moist soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Fiji, Pacific, Rotuma, Wallis & Futuna

How it is used for food

The starch from the trunk can be extracted and eaten. The palm heart or cabbage is eaten.

Edible parts

Starch, bud, cabbage, palm heart, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate readily whether cleaned or not.

Its other names

Local names

Ni'u soria, Niu lotuma, Ota, Seko, Sogo, Songa, Songo

Synonyms

Coelococcus vitiensis H. Wendl. ex Seem.; Sagus vitiensis H. Wendl. ex Seem;