Sumatran salak palm, Snakefruit plam
Salacca sumatrana
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A clustered palm. It is short. The leaves are 6 m long and have leaflets along the stalk. There are long thin spines on the leaf stalks and sheaths. The leaflets are narrow and regularly arranged. The flowering shoots are among the leaves. The fruit is top shaped and covered with reddish brown scales. The pulp is creamy white and sweet.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in humid lowland rainforests up to 350 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Indonesia (country/location of origin), SE Asia
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds and suckers.
Its other names
Local names
Salak hutan, Salak liar, Salak lokal, Salak padang sidempuan