Sugar Palm
Arenga pinnata
Also known as
Malay Sago Palm, Areng Palm, Black-Fiber Palm, Gomuti Palm
Arenga pinnata, the Sugar Palm (14229842519) by Dick Culbert (CC BY 2.0)
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Partial Shade
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
13b
USDA zone
18°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
20m | Max | 7m |
15m | Min | 5m |
3 years to reach maturity
Flowering
-
spring
-
summer
-
autumn
-
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Sugar Palm
Sugar Palm Overview
Arenga pinnata is commonly known as Sugar Palm, it is an evergreen, medium-sized palm species. Typically growing up to 20m tall, the trunk remains covered by the rough, old leaf bases. Young leaf sheaths are usually covered in moss-like white hairs.
Common problems with Sugar Palm
Problem free
Sugar Palm Companion Plants
Under-plant with tropical plants.
How to harvest Sugar Palm
Harvest sap as needed.
How to propagate Sugar Palm
Seed
Keep seed moist. The germination time about 1-3 months.
Other uses of Sugar Palm
Food. Apiculture. Fuel. Fibre. TImber. Alcohol. Poison. Medicinal. Soil Erosion.
Edible
Roots, leaves, flowers and fruit are edible. Sap is harvested and used as sugar. A sago-like flour can be ground from the trunk pith and used for cakes, noodles and other dishes. The apical bud, known as a 'palm heart' is sometimes used for food. It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Removing this bud will result in the death of the plant, since it is unable to produce side shoots
Medicinal
Roots provide medicinal products, such as a tea decoction used to cure bladder trouble.
Soil stabilazation
The plant has an extensive root system, up to 3 m deep and 10 m wide. It has been planted, especially on slopes, for soil stabilization.