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Licuala mattanensis Becc. 'Mapu'
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Paradise Palm, Mapu Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.6 m to 0.9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 1.2 m to 1.8 m |
Biogeography
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest) |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Small palm. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Fan-shaped, pleated leaves are green with greenish yellow blotches. Rectangular leaflets are spread radially like the spokes of a wheel. Leaf tips are truncate with square-cut ends. |
| Fruit | Bright orange fruits are shaped like ellipsoids. They contain sickle-shaped seeds which quickly lose viability. |
| Similar | The leaves resemble those of Licuala spinosa except they are smaller and variegated. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Container Planting, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Golden Garden, Naturalistic Garden |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Acidic (low pH) Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Tissue Culture |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Serrate / Toothed |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White, Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flower Location | Terminal |
| Inflorescence Type | Spike |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown, Red |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1350 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2643 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
