Arenga obtusifolia

Hawaii

Arenga obtusifolia

Seedlings, Hawaii

Scientific Classification

Genus:	Arenga
Species:	obtusifolia

Synonyms

Gomutus obtusifolius, Saguerus langbak

Native Continent

Asia

Morphology

Habit:	asia
Leaf type:	Pinnate

Culture

Survivability index

Common names

Pokok Langkap, langlap (Indonesia), sugar palm

Habitat and distribution

Jawa, Malaya, Sumatera, and Thailand. Coastal Rainforest, Low Elevation Rainforest.

Description

Physical Characteristic:Height: Up to 16m (50ft) Growth Habit: Clustering, Growth Rate: Medium Fast, Trunk Type: No Crownshaft, Light Grey Fibrous, Prominently Ringed, Trunk Diameter: Up to 300mm (12") Leaf Type: Pinnate, Leaf Size: Up to 5.4m (18ft) Leaf Color:Dark Green, Silver Underside, Petiole:Up to 900mm (36") Inflorescence Colour:White, Fruit Description: Up to 50mm (2") Ovoid, Fruit Colour: Green. Editing by edric.

Culture

Light: Full Sun, Partial Shade, Soil: Consistently Moist, Well Draining, Watering: Frequent, Min. Temp: 2°C (36°F) Tolerances: Full Sun, High Humidity, Propagation: Seed, Germination: 1-6 Months, 28-32°C (82-90°F).

Comments and Curiosities

The sugar palm Arenga obtusifolia commonly known as 'langkap' in Indonesia, covers an estimated 18, 000 hectares of the Ujung Kulon peninsula (part of the World Heritage Site, Ulung Kulon National Park, Java), home to the 'Critically Endangered (CR)' Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondiacus). The spread and dominance of A. obtusifolia has negative impacts on undergrowth that comprises the food of the Javan Rhino; including seedling regeneration because of shading and poor light conditions caused by the canopy of the palm. Since 2003, studies have been underway to find an effective way of controlling this invasive species. Direct injections with Round-Up (Atrazine) herbicide, have proven to effectively kill the palm without leaving harmful chemical traces in the soil.