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Nypa fruticans (nipa palm)

Climate

The Nypa fruticans prefers a tropical climate and is typically found in regions with rainforests and brackish water tidal rivers. It thrives in areas with mangrove associations. Altitude preferences are not specified.

Common Name

Nipa palm

Description

The Nypa fruticans, also known as the nipa palm, is a tropical rainforest plant found in Southeast Asia, including Sri Lanka and North Australia. It thrives in mangrove associations and brackish water tidal rivers. This versatile plant provides edible fruits, forage, sap for sugar production, and leaves for thatching and weaving. It is a trunkless, multistemmed, suckering feather palm that is semi-hardy and commonly planted for local use.

Genus
Grouping
Other utility
Latin Name

Nypa fruticans

Origin

Origin: Sri Lanka

Other Relevant Information

- The nipa palm is native to Southeast Asia, including areas west to Sri Lanka and the Bay of Bengal, as well as northern Australia. - It typically grows in tropical rainforests and along the banks of brackish water tidal rivers, often in mangrove associations. - The plant has multiple uses, including edible fruit, forage, and sap that can be used to produce sugar (approximately 3000 kg of sugar per year). - The leaves of the nipa palm are used for thatching and weaving. - Although sometimes planted, it is primarily utilized for local products only. - The nipa palm is a trunkless, multistemmed, and suckering feather palm. - It is considered semi-hardy and has not been significantly improved through cultivation.

Related Genus
Soil Preferences

The nipa palm prefers tropical rainforest soil and brackish water tidal rivers in mangrove associations.

Specific species
Uses
Forage
Suitability to cool temperate climate

SE Asia: west to Sri Lanka, Bay of Bengal, including N. Australia: tropical rainforest, banks brackish water tidal rivers; in mangrove associations. Edible fruit, forage; sap for sugar (3000 kg sugar/hr/yr); leaves for thatch, weaving. Sometimes planted; local products only; trunkless, multistemmed, suckering feather palm; semi - hardy. Unimproved.