Common Name:

General Information

Hydriastele lurida is a single stemmed, evergreen plant with a moderately slender, unbranched stem that can be up to 25 metres tall and usually up to 10cm in diameter, though occasionally reaching 15cm. The stem is topped by a crown of 8 - 12 leaves that can each be 130 - 200cm long including the petiole[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.
Hydriastele lurida is widespread in New Ginea and there are no known threats. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - western and central New Guinea

Habitat

A subcanopy plant, growing in lowland swamp and heath forest, occasionally in drier habitats or in disturbed roadside vegetation, at elevations up to 500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

Shoot apices consumed[]. The palm heart (the inner core and growing bud of the plant) is harvested. It provides a crispy food, rich in nutrients, that can be eaten raw or cooked. Harvesting the heart will lead to the death of the plant since it is unable to produce new shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for roofing[].

The stems are used for making harpoons, floors and beds[].

Propagation

Seed -

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