- Source: Heterospathe
Heterospathe is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Oceania, where it is called sagisi palm. With 39 species, Heterospathe is named from a Greek combination of "various" and "spathe", which describes the two distinct bract types.
Description
They exhibit considerable variation in morphology and habit; the slender trunks may be solitary or sparsely to densely clustering, some are miniatures and perpetual undergrowth subjects while others contribute to the canopy top. The trunks are ringed by leaf scars and end in a poorly defined or absent crownshaft. The leaves are usually pinnate, rarely bifid, from small to large, and frequently red colored when new.
The inflorescence is interfoliar but will hang pendent nearing antithesis. It may be branched from one to four orders with short white to yellow branches of spirally arranged, male and female flowers. Ellipsoidal to spherical, the fruit ripen to various shades of orange and red and contain a single seed.
Distribution and habitat
Heterospathe species are relatively widespread across the Pacific's western edges with several in New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, eastern Indonesia and Micronesia. Across this range they inhabit montane and lowland rain forest, in some cases receiving total shade or filtered light while others mature into full sun with age; H. delicatula and H. humilis are found at high elevations in New Guinea's mountains. Being rain forest dwellers they are typically found in humus-rich soil.
Species
Heterospathe annectens H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe arfakiana (Becc.) H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe barfodii L.M.Gardiner & W.J.Baker - Papua
Heterospathe brevicaulis Fernando - Luzon
Heterospathe cagayanensis Becc. - Luzon
Heterospathe califrons Fernando - Philippines
Heterospathe clemensiae (Burret) H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe compsoclada (Burret) Heatubun - New Guinea
Heterospathe delicatula H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe dransfieldii Fernando - Palawan
Heterospathe elata Scheff - Philippines, Maluku, New Guinea, Micronesia
Heterospathe elegans (Becc.) Becc. - New Guinea
Heterospathe elmeri Becc. - Philippines
Heterospathe glabra (Burret) H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe glauca (Scheff.) H.E.Moore - Maluku
Heterospathe intermedia (Becc.) Fernando - Philippines
Heterospathe kajewskii Burret - Solomon Islands
Heterospathe ledermanniana Becc. - New Guinea
Heterospathe lepidota H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe longipes (H.E.Moore) Norup - Fiji
Heterospathe macgregorii (Becc.) H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe minor Burret - Solomon Islands
Heterospathe muelleriana (Becc.) Becc. - New Guinea
Heterospathe negrosensis Becc. - Philippines
Heterospathe obriensis (Becc.) H.E.Moore - New Guinea
Heterospathe parviflora Essig - Bismarck Archipelago
Heterospathe philippinensis (Becc.) Becc. - Philippines
Heterospathe phillipsii D.Fuller & Dowe - Fiji
Heterospathe pilosa (Burret) Burret - New Guinea
Heterospathe porcata W.J.Baker & Heatubun - Western New Guinea
Heterospathe pulchra H.E.Moore - Papua New Guinea
Heterospathe pullenii M.S.Trudgen & W.J.Baker - Papua New Guinea
Heterospathe ramulosa Burret - Solomon Islands
Heterospathe salomonensis Becc. - Solomon Islands
Heterospathe scitula Fernando - Luzon
Heterospathe sensisi Becc. - Solomon Islands
Heterospathe sibuyanensis Becc. - Sibuyan
Heterospathe sphaerocarpa Burret - New Guinea
Heterospathe trispatha Fernando - Luzon
Heterospathe uniformis Dowe - Vanuatu
Heterospathe woodfordiana Becc. - Solomon Islands
Cultivation and uses
The colorful new foliage has increased their popularity in Australia though they are still uncommon there and more so in the United States where only one species is cultivated with any regularity. In any case, they naturally prefer surroundings resembling those in their range, particularly acidic soil which is fast-draining, copious water and protection from cold. The petioles and leaflets are woven and thatched, the palm heart is reportedly eaten, and fruit from H. elata is chewed as a betel substitute.
References
External links
Heterospathe on NPGS/GRIN
Fairchild Images
Fairchild Guide to Palms
GBIF portal