Common Name:

General Information

Caryota cumingii is a solitary-stemmed, evergreen palm tree growing about 12 metres tall. The unbranched stem is up to 20cm in diameter, it is crowned by a rosette of large leaves[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its edible bud and the pith in its stem, which are used locally. The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

The mesocarp (flesh of the fruit) contains irritating needle-like Calcium oxalate crystals[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Southeast Asia - Philippines.

Habitat

Rainforest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny, moist, but well drained position[].
The species in this genus are monocarpic, growing for several years (in some species 15 years or more) without flowering, but then flowering and fruiting profusely over several years before dying[].
Before reaching maturity, selected inflorescences are prepared for tapping by beating with a wooden stick and are then tied with a string to keep them in a proper shape. If possible, a number of inflorescences are tied together. A concoction of herbs, salt and ash may be applied to the tip of the inflorescence. Tapping begins 3 - 4 days later by making a fine angular slash. A receptacle, usually a piece of bamboo, is hung under the tapping point to catch the sap. The inflorescence is cut afresh in the morning and evening for 3 - 4 months, until none remains[].

Edible Uses

The pith of the stem is a source of sago starch[]. Because the outside stem is very tough, the plant tends to get utilized for its starch mainly in times of food shortage[].

Apical bud - eaten as a vegetable[]. Somewhat bitter[]. Eating this bud leads to the death of the plant since it is unable to produce side branches[].

We have no specific information for this species, but the inflorescence of many members of this genus (especially the taller species) is tapped and the liquid used for making sugar, alcoholic beverages etc[].
After harvest the sap may be boiled in an open pan to produce jaggery. If the sap is allowed to ferment for 12 hours it turns into a pale or cloudy wine with a rather sour taste. Fermented toddy may still be boiled down to a thick syrup and be preserved as a treacle. The treacle can be allowed to crystallize to form a sweetmeat[].

The seeds can be used as a masticatory in place of betel nut (Areca catechu)[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaf sheath fibre ('kittul') from plants in this genus is durable and is often harvested as a source of thatch, cordage, and to make brushes and brooms[]. The fibre becomes very pliable after being steeped in linseed oil[].
The woolly hairs on the leaf sheaths, petioles and rachis can be used as tinder or as wadding. They may also be used to caulk wooden boats[].
The finer fibre can also be spun into fishing lines or coarse threads for sewing[].

Propagation

Seed -

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