Oncosperma tigillarium (Jack) Ridl.

Description:

Simpang Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.Oncosperma tigillarium (Jack) Ridl. Arecaceae. CN: [Malay - Nibong, Nibung], Nibong. Native to Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. Plants growing wild in inland freshwater swamp-forests and brackish water closer to the coast in clumps of ca 10 palms; now rarely seen due to loss of habitat for economic crops such as, rice. Tall slender palm up to ca 30 m tall; stem slender ca 10 cm diameter; crown of pinnate leaves ca 2-4 m long with characteristic drooping leaflets; stem having flat, sharp, black spines and spiny all over other plant parts; spadix emerges at crown apex, large 30-40 cm and longer, yellow color; fruits globose ca 1cm, green and turning black upon maturity. Source of construction materials and food.Synonym(s):Areca tigillaria Jack (basionym)Euterpe filamentosa KunthOncosperma filamentosum (Kunth) BlumeRef and suggested reading:Ismail Saidin. Palma Pilihan untuk Seni Tanam, DBP 1993www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?25669