The Makiling Botanic Gardens (MBG) Plant of the Month (POM) for October 2021 is “Red Palm,” scientifically known as Cyrtostachys renda Blume from the family Arecaceae. The palm is native to Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Also known as Lipstick palm, the name is derived from the Greek prefix, cyrto meaning bent or curved, the Greek word stachys meaning an ear of grain, and ‘renda’, a Malayan native word for palm. The bright red leaf sheath makes it unique from other palms. This also made it a popular ornamental plant exported to many tropical countries. Red Palm fruits are small and ovoid-shaped that start green and turn black when ripe. This palm reproduces typically through suckers and seeds, but the germination period is long.
Red palm is also known for its traditional uses as floor and roof material. Some communities in Indonesia harvest palm hearts for food.
By: AA Limpiada & AC Malayba