Footstall Palm (Saribus rotundifolius)
Saribus rotundifolius is an evergreen, upright, single-trunked fan palm with bisexual flowers.
Overview
Saribus rotundifolius is an evergreen, upright, single-trunked fan palm with bisexual flowers.
Origin and habitat
Sources differ on its native range: it occurs in Southeast Asia, principally the Philippines, Sulawesi and the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, and the Sabah area of Malaysia, with descriptions extending from Banggi Island in Sabah east to the Raja Ampat Islands; some sources also include Kalimantan in Indonesia. It is reported from swamp forest, seasonally dry swamp forest, mangrove margins, rainforest, moist evergreen forest, riverbanks, and secondary forest. It is reported to suit humid tropical environments.
Characteristics
Sources differ on mature height, giving a range of about 1500–2500 cm. The leaves are palmate and fan-shaped, arranged spirally along the stem; the blade is nearly entire at the center and almost circular in outline, divided to around halfway along its length, with shallowly forked segment tips. The flowers are reported to occur in clusters on inflorescences borne on long stalks, and to have petals; plants capable of flowering are reported to flower and fruit throughout the year. The fruit is a nearly spherical to spherical fleshy drupe with a very thin layer of flesh, changing as it matures from orange-red, red, or brick red to dark purple, blue-black, or black.
Watering
Its natural habitats include moist evergreen forest, swamp forest, and riverbanks, and it is adapted to humid tropical environments; the sources do not provide a specific watering frequency.
Propagation
It is reported to be propagated by seed.
Common problems
Excessive leaf harvesting is reported to reduce the size of subsequent leaves; leaf growth may become faster after harvesting, but new leaves tend to be smaller.
Identification
The palm has a single upright trunk that is smooth and gradually tapering, with shallow ring-shaped leaf scars; its crown consists of large palmate fan leaves that are nearly circular in outline.
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