Johannesteijsmannia altifrons (PROSEA)

Plant Resources of South-East Asia Introduction

List of species

Johannesteijsmannia altifrons (H.G.L. Rchb. & Zoll.) H.E. Moore

Family: Palmae

Synonyms

Teysmannia altifrons H.G.L. Rchb. & Zoll .

Vernacular names

• Joey palm, diamond palm, diamond Joey (En)
• Indonesia: belawan sang (eastern Sumatra), daun ekor buaya (Borneo)
• Malaysia: daun payong, daun sal, pokok koh.

Distribution

Widespread but very local throughout southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo.Cultivated on a limited scale.

Uses

In Indonesia and Malaysia the leaves are used to make thatched roofs of huts, and in Sumatra also for partition walls. The leaves are very large, strong, durable and easily thatched. They are, however, less durable than those of sago palm ( Metroxylon sagu Rottboell) and nipa palm ( Nypa fruticans Wurmb), and are said to last for only about 3-4 years. The leaves are also used as umbrellas. The endosperm is edible. In many tropical and subtropical areas, J. altifrons is grown as an ornamental.

Observations

A solitary, acaulescent palm tree. Stem subterranean. Leaves simple, diamond-shaped, up to 6 m tall; petiole up to 2.5 m long, armed with short thorns; blade up to 3.5 m × 1.8 m. Inflorescence axillary; spathes tubular at base, brown hairy, 10-20 cm × 6-8 cm; peduncle 30-50 cm long; three orders of branches, floriferous branches 20-100, up to 1 m long; flowers white, glabrous; calyx 2 mm long; petals fleshy, 4 mm long. Fruit drupaceous, subglobose, 3.9-4.6 cm in diameter, covered in 60-80 brown, corky warts 6.2-8.2 mm long. Seed globose; endocarp woody up to 1 mm thick; endosperm bony, up to 2.5 cm in diameter. J. altifrons occurs from sea level up to about 1200 m altitude, but most populations are above 300 m altitude. In Sarawak it is confined to heath forest, elsewhere it seems less restricted but it avoids wet valley bottoms. In much of its range it is threatened by shifting cultivation, logging and over-collection; in Sarawak its protection is recommended.

Selected sources

43, 71, 90, 91, 119, 134, 147, 193.

Authors

M. Brink, P.C.M. Jansen & C.H. Bosch