Spear palm
Balaka seemannii

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A small palm. It grows to 4-8 m high. The trunk is 2-5 cm across. The trunk has prominent ridges. The leaves are 2 m long. The leaf stalk is 10-25 cm long. There are 10-12 leaflets on each side of the stalk. The leaflets are 23 cm long and 10 cm across at the tip. They are triangular. The flowering stalks is branched and 3.5-23 cm long. The fruit are red and 1.4-1.9 cm long and 5-10 mm across. The immature fruit is edible.

There are 7 Balaka species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs in Fiji on Vanua Levu. It occurs from sea level to 1,000 m altitude. It grows in dense forests. It needs well drained soil. They need a shady location.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, Pacific

How it is used for food

The kernel of the immature fruit is edible.

Edible parts

Fruit, nut

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Ripe seed germinate quickly. Seed should not be allowed to dry out. Seed from single palms will grow. Plants can be transplanted providing the roots are not allowed to dry out.

Plants grow quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ptychosperma seemanni H. Wendl. ex Seem.; Ptychosperma perbreve H. Wendl.; Balaka perbrevis Becc.; Kentia kersteniana Hort. sensu Becc.; Balaka gracilis Burret; Drymophloeus seemannii Becc.; Vitiphoenix seemannii Becc.; Balaka cuneata Burret;