Rhopaloblaste elegans
H. E. Moore
Elegant palm
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Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (via Wikimedia Commons)
Summary
Source: WikipediaRhopaloblaste elegans is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is found only in Solomon Islands. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
A medium sized slender palm. It grows about 12 m tall and is 9-15 cm across. It has a swollen base. The trunk is light grey. It has a densely scaly crown-shaft. This is 1 m long. The leaves spread out. They are 3.3 m long. The leaflets are narrow, light green, stiff and papery. They are 60 cm long. They are bent downwards at 45° to the stalk. They are regularly and closely spaced. They fruit change from yellow to orange then red during ripening. The fruit are round or oval and covered with a blue-green bloom when fresh.
Edible Uses
The fruit are used as a betel nut substitute, particularly during times of betel nut scarcity.
Traditional Uses
The fruit can be used as a betel nut substitute during times of betel nut scarcity.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It is abundant in dense forest in the Solomon Islands. It grows on limestone soils. It needs shade protection while young. In Cairns Botanical Gardens.
Where It Grows
Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Pacific, SE Asia, Solomon Islands*,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from seeds.
Notes
There are 6-7 Rhopaloblaste species. There are 3 in New Guinea.
Also Known As
Palem anggun
References (5)
- French, B.R., 2010, Food Plants of Solomon Islands. A Compendium. Food Plants International Inc. p 378
- Henderson, C.P. and I.R.Hancock, 1988, A Guide to the Useful Plants of the Solomon Islands. Res. Dept. Min of Ag. & Lands. Honiara, Solomon Islands. p 148
- Jones, D.L., 1994, Palms throughout the World. Smithtonian Institution, Washington. p 337
- Moore, H.E., 1970, The genus Rhopaloblaste (Palmae), Principes 14(3):75-92.
- Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 814
