Metroxylon sagu

Metroxylon sagu is a species of palm in the family Arecaceae, also known as the sago palm. It is native to tropical southeastern Asia in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia and possibly also the Philippines (though may have been introduced there).

Description

The Metroxylon sagu is a large, robust, monocarpic palm growing up to 20 meters tall. The leaves are pinnate, 5-9 meters long, with a spiny petiole. The flowers are produced in a large, spiny spadix 3-7 meters long. The fruit is a drupe 5 cm in diameter, red when mature, and is produced in large, spiny clusters.

Uses

The Metroxylon sagu is a major source of sago, a starch used in cooking, including the production of sago pearls. The pith inside the trunk is scraped out, washed, and strained to extract the starch. The leaves and stems are also used for thatching, and the wood for light construction.

Cultivation

The Metroxylon sagu is cultivated in many parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. It is usually grown in lowland areas, often in swampy locations where other crops cannot be grown. It is propagated by seeds, which are sown in nursery beds and transplanted to the field when they are about a year old.

Conservation

The Metroxylon sagu is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction, but its habitat is being lost to deforestation and conversion to other uses. Efforts are being made to conserve the species and its habitat, and to promote sustainable use of its resources.

See also

• Sago
• Arecaceae
• Deforestation

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  Metroxylon sagu