Common Name: Nibung

General Information

Oncosperma tigillarium is an evergreen palm tree growing up to 25 metres tall with leaves up to 3.5 metres long[, ]. The stems, which are covered with sharp black prickles 25 - 65mm long, are 10 - 15cm in diameter, occasionally to 25cm[, ]. A densely clumping species, with usually 15 - 30 mature stems per clump, though there are sometimes hundreds[].
The plant is particularly valued in its native range for its edible, apical bud which is gathered from the wild. The tree also provides a useful timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southeastern Asia - Malaysia to Sumatra, Borneo and the Philippines.

Habitat

Always by the coast, growing in brackish water coastal swamps, creek banks or on sandy or rocky seashores[]. It can be found behind the mangroves, on elevated spots in areas of fresh water swamps above the highest flood mark[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants succeed at low elevations in moist tropical climates, with or without a dry period. They grow best in areas where the mean annual temperature falls within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c[]. They prefer a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 3,000mm, tolerating 1,000 - 3,500mm[]. They can tolerate a dry season, but even then the driest month should have 25mm or more rain[].
Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[], but can also succeed in light shade[]. Succeeds in most soils[]. Plants can tolerate at least some maritime exposure with salt spray and somewhat saline soil conditions[, ]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 6.5, but tolerates 5.5 - 7[].

Edible Uses

The apical bud can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable[, , ]. Delicately white with a very sweet, nutty flavour. A most delicious vegetable and, when boiled, resembles asparagus or kale; in its raw state, it fiunishes fictitious cucumbers and an excellent salad[, ]. Removing the bud effectively kills the trunk since it is unable to produce side branches. However, since this is a clump-forming species, it is possible to eat some buds from a clump without killing the clump.

The flowers are used to flavour rice[, ].

Fruit - occasionally eaten[]. They are used to make preserves and also as a substitute for betel (Areca catechu)[, ].

Medicinal

The root, combined with the root of Areca catechu, is said to improve/increase a man's vita;ity. The roots are boiled and the infusion drunk twice a day for about 3 days[].

Other Uses

The leaves are a source of fibre[]. They are used for making baskets and for thatching[].

The spines on the stem are used for blow-darts and as heads of javelins for spearing fish.

Wood - the outer part of the trunk is stronger and more durable than most other palms[, ]. Especially durable in both fresh and salty water[, ]. It is used for house construction, especially for the foundation piles of elevated houses, and is also split into planks for flooring, boat building etc[]. The hard, elastic and durable outer zone of the stem is used for purposes like construction, piling, rafters and decorative panelling, flooring, fencing, tools and weapons and furniture[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water and sow in containers. Fresh seed can germinate in under 2 months[].

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