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Actinorhytis calapparia (Blume) H.Wendl. & Drude ex Scheff.
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Seaforthia calapparia (Blume) Mart., Areca calappariaBlume, Actinorhytis poamau Becc. |
| Common Name: | Pinang Penawar, Calappa Palm, Actinorhytis, Tañgalo, Mak-prao |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | New Guinea and the Solomon Islands |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a tall solitary palm, up to 15m tall. Trunk is marked with leaf scars and presence of a large cluster of roots at the base. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | The fronds are large (2.1 – 3m long), strongly arching and consist of many regularly arranged leaflets (about 45 cm long). The upper surface of the midrib is covered with both small dot-like and thin, elongated scales with ragged margins. The crown sheath is slender and has scattered scales, which fall off early. The petiole (leaf stalk) is long when young but are shorter in more mature palms. |
| Flowers | The inflorescence is highly branched and consists of both male and female flowers (monoecious). The male flowers are asymmetrical in bud while the female flowers are globular, much larger than male flowers at maturity. |
| Fruit | The fruit is large (about 6 cm long), oval shaped, and smooth. Fruit turns from green to red when ripe, with persistent perianth. Seed is globose with deeply ruminate endosperm. |
| Habitat | It grows in lowland rainforest up to 1000m altitude. |
| Cultivation | It is a water loving palm which cannot withstand drought. It is propagated by seeds. |
| Etymology | Greek Aktis, ray; Greek rhytis, wrinkle or fold, which refers to the ruminations in the endosperm. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: The seed may be chewed as a betel substitute. Seed kernel were reportedly pounded and used as baby powder. Fruit is sometimes used in a lotion to treat scurf. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
|---|---|
| Flower Location | Axillary |
References
| References | Dransfield, J., Uhi, N.W., Asmussen, C.B., Baker, W.J., Harley, M.M. & Lewis, C.E. . 2008. Genera Palmarum. The Evolution and Classification of Palms. . United Kingdom: Kew Publishing. 732 Riffle, R.L., Craft, P. & Zona, S. . 2012. The Encyclopedia of cultivated palms. London: Timber Press. 517 |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1967 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3259 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |