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Pigafetta elata (Mart.) H.Wendl.
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Metroxylon elatum Mart., Sagus elata (Mart.) Reinw. ex Blume |
| Common Name: | Pigafetta Palm, Wanga |
One of the tallest palm species in Tropical Asia, Pigafetta elata , also known as Pigafetta Palm or Wanga, is a palm that is endemic to Sulawesi. It is fast growing and can reach up to 50 m tall in the wild. Leaf fibres are used to make threads while the stems are used for construction, furniture and as structural poles in traditional rice granaries.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 50 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Sulawesi |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a palm that can reach up to 50 m tall and has a solitary growth habit. It is one of the tallest palm species in Tropical Asia. The stem is ringed with nodal scars and has spine-like adventitious roots near the base. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are arching, feather-shaped (pinnate) and up to 6 m long. Leaflets are numerous, regularly arranged and slender. The leaflet margin, petiole and rachis, are armed with short spines. The leaf base (or leaf sheath) is densely covered with dark spines. |
| Flowers | Inflorescence occurs between the leaves (interfoliar) and comprises of many small flowers. |
| Fruit | Fruit is round (about 1.2 cm diameter) and covered with 11 – 12 neat vertical rows of reflexed scales. Each fruit contains 1 seed within. |
| Habitat | It is found in disturbed area, up to 1500 m altitude. |
| Similar | Pigafetta elata is very similar to Pigafetta filaris. The spines on the leaf base and fruits shape are key characters to tell them apart. P. elata has leaf base which is densely covered with dark spines while the leaf base of P. filaris has distant spines and presence of white indumentum. P. elata has round fruit covered with 11 – 12 vertical rows of scales while P. filaris has ellipsoid fruit covered with 13 – 15 vertical rows of scales. |
| Associated Fauna | Flowers are pollinated by insects. |
| Etymology | The genus Pigafetta commemorates Antonio Pigafetta (1491 – 1531), an Italian sailor who was part of the earliest voyages to sail around the world alongside Portuguese explorer, Ferdinand Magellan. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Others: Leaf fibres are used to make threads for sewing. In Sulawesi, the stems are used for construction, furniture and as structural poles in traditional rice granaries. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Focal Plant, Parks & Gardens |
|---|---|
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast to Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Poor Infertile Soils |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Shape(s) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Aboveground, Solitary Habit |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Scaly |
|---|---|
| Seed Quantity Per Fruit | Few (1-5) |
References
| References | Bernal, R., Martinez, B., & Sanin, M.J. (2018). The World’s Tallest Palms. Palms 62 (1): 5 – 16. |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 34357 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 8770 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
