Common Name:

General Information

Cyrtostachys loriae is a robust, evergreen palm growing around 10 - 30 metres tall. It produces a single, unbranched stem around 11 - 30cm in diameter and topped with a crown of around 8 - 14, large, spreading leaves around 250 - 480cm long including the petiole[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.
Cyrtostachys loriae is widespread in the Papuasian region, and as yet the conservation status of this species seems not to be a cause for concern. However, land conversion for oil palm plantations or other purposes, including illegal logging activities in West New Guinea (Indonesian Provinces of Irian Jaya Barat and Papua) could have a severe effect on the populations of the palm. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern'(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Australasia - Papua New Guinea to the Solomon Islands

Habitat

Primary or secondary forest, growing in a wide range of ecological conditions including swampy lowland areas, lower montane heath forest, evergreen rain forest and dry areas in savannahs; at an elevation from 30 - 400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The apical bud, also known as the palm heart or 'cabbage' is eaten fresh or cooked[]. The apical bud provides a crispy food, rich in nutrients, that can be eaten raw or cooked. However, harvesting the bud will lead to the death of the plant since it is unable to produce new shoots[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The stems and leaves are used as building materials for traditional houses, e.g. piles, flooring, water pipes, thatch and mattresses[].

Propagation

Seed -

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