Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Licuala spinosa Wurmb (ARECACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Palas.

Description

Clustering palm to 3 m tall, stem c. 5 cm diam. Petiole 2-3 m long with peltate-orbicular fronds comprising 17-23 segments. Inflorescence 2-3 m long, flowers small to about 2.5 mm long. Fruits globose ripening ornage to red, c. 8 mm across.

Ecology

Lowland forest, friges of freshwater, peat and mangrove swamps, beach forest and open disturbed vegetation. This is the only Licuala in Malaysia that can persist in abandoned grounds or open areas.

Distribution

Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Thailand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, the Philippines, Java and Sumatra.

Uses

Sometimes used as an ornamental. Young fronds are sometimes collected to wrap gelutinous rice for cooking.