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Licuala spinosa
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Licuala horrida Blume, Licuala pilearia, Licuala ramosa |
| Common Name: | Palas, Mangrove Fan Palm, Spiny Licuala Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Clustered Habit) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | S.E.A |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
| Local Conservation Status | Native to Singapore (Vulnerable (VU)) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Foliage | Costapalmate leaves with a stiff, circular leaf blade, multi-ribbed segments, forming a broken circle, squared-off ends. The petioles are viciously armed with spines. |
|---|---|
| Flowers | Inflorescence are branched to two orders in long drooping spikes. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Young leaves are used to make Ketupat Daun Palas; a dish commonly eaten during Muslim festivals like Hari Raya Aidilfitri. (Credit: Prof. Mohamed Maketab) |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun, Full Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water, Lots of Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Slow |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Waterlogged Soils |
| Soil pH Range From | 6.6 |
| Soil pH Range To | 7.5 |
| Maintenance Requirements | Low |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Palm - Cluster) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Clustering Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Red |
|---|---|
| Seed Description | Small and round |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1354 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 5129 |
| 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. |
