Actinorhytis calapparia (PROSEA)
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Introduction |
Actinorhytis calapparia (Blume) H.A. Wendland & Drude ex Scheffer
- Protologue: Ann. Jard. Bot. Buitenzorg 1: 156 (1876).
- Family: Palmae
- Chromosome number: 2n= unknown
Synonyms
Areca calapparia Blume (1838-1843).
Vernacular names
- Calappa palm (En)
- Indonesia: jambe sinagar (Sundanese), jawar (Javanese), pinang kalapa (Ambon)
- Malaysia: pinang penawar, pinang sendawa, pinang hantu (Peninsular)
- Philippines: tangalo (Bagobo).
Origin and geographic distribution
Calappa palm is native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, but has been introduced and is now widespread throughout Malesia.
Uses
The fruit of calappa palm is sometimes used in a lotion to treat scurf. Powdered seeds are occasionally used as baby powder. The fruit kernel can be eaten, although it is tough, and it is used for chewing as a substitute for betel nut from areca palm ( Areca catechu L.). Calappa palm is also planted as ornamental, e.g. in gardens, as it is very decorative. It is also considered a magic plant, protecting the person who carries a fruit. It is often planted around villages. The fruit kernel is often used as a toy by children.
Properties
There is no information available on the properties of calappa palm. The fruit kernels of areca palm, however, contain polyphenolics (e.g. (+)-catechin and procyanidin), especially when unmature. It is possible that the fruits of calappa palm contain similar compounds.
Botany
A medium-sized tree up to 15 m tall, with slender, erect, bare stem, conspicuously marked with leaf scars and with a large conical mass of roots at base. Leaves alternate, pinnate, arching, up to 3 m long, with tubular sheaths forming a long, slender crown shaft; leaflets very numerous. Inflorescences on the stem below the leaves, large, widely spreading, horizontal or pendulous, branching to 3 orders proximally, to 1 order distally, with tubular prophyll entirely enclosing the inflorescence in bud; ultimate branches bearing spirally arranged triads (consisting of 2 lateral staminate flowers and a central pistillate flower) in the proximal half to two-thirds, and paired or solitary staminate flowers distally. Flowers unisexual, 3-merous, petals about twice as long as sepals; male flowers with numerous stamens and rudimentary pistil; female flowers larger, with superior unilocular ovary crowned by 3 large stigmas, and 3 rudimentary stamens. Fruit an ovoid drupe, c. 6 cm long, turning red at maturity, endocarp with circular operculum, 1-seeded. Seed globose, with lateral, longitudinal hilum, endosperm deeply ruminate.
A. calapparia starts flowering when 4-5 years old.
Actinorhytis comprises 2 species. Most characteristic are the arching leaves, slender crown shafts, conical masses of roots at the base of the trunk, widely spreading inflorescences below the leaves, and comparatively large fruits. The genus is ranked in the tribe Areceae .
Ecology
In its native area, calappa palm is found in lowland rain forest up to 1000 m altitude. It can not stand too dry soils, and prefers clayey or loamy soils.
Management Calappa palm is propagated by seed. Fully ripe fruits are dried for a few days and then planted in shallow pits 2-5 cm apart; later the seedlings are transferred to nursery beds at a spacing of 30 cm. The young trees are transplanted into the field when 1-2 years old.
Genetic resources
Although calappa palm originally had a limited area of distribution, it is now widespread in Malesia. It does not seem to be endangered, but some protection of wild populations in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands is recommended to prevent genetic erosion.
Prospects
Calappa palm is an interesting multipurpose tree. However, almost nothing is known about its properties. Research is needed to determine the scientific basis for the medicinal applications. Selection and breeding work combined with research on methods of propagation might enhance its ornamental value.
Literature
334, 941.
Other selected sources
117, 121, 437, 760, 821.
Main genus page
Authors
Juliana Jonathan
