Heterospathe
Heterospathe is a monoecious genus of flowering plant in the palm family found in Oceania, where it is called sagisi palm. With 39 species, Heterospathe is named from a Greek combination of "various" and "spathe", which describes the two distinct bract types.
Description
They exhibit considerable variation in morphology and habit; the slender trunks may be solitary or sparsely to densely clustering, some are miniatures and perpetual undergrowth subjects while others contribute to the canopy top. The trunks are ringed by leaf scars and end in a poorly defined or absent crownshaft. The leaves are usually pinnate, rarely bifid, from small to large, and frequently red colored when new.
The inflorescence is interfoliar but will hang pendent nearing antithesis. It may be branched from one to four orders with short white to yellow branches of spirally arranged, male and female flowers. Ellipsoidal to spherical, the fruit ripen to various shades of orange and red and contain a single seed.
Distribution and habitat
Heterospathe species are relatively widespread across the Pacific's western edges with several in New Guinea, the Philippines, the Solomon Islands, eastern Indonesia and Micronesia. Across this range they inhabit montane and lowland rain forest, in some cases receiving total shade or filtered light while others mature into full sun with age; H. delicatula and H. humilis are found at high elevations in New Guinea's mountains. Being rain forest dwellers they are typically found in humus-rich soil.
Species
Heterospathe annectens H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe arfakiana H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe barfodii L.M.Gardiner & W.J.Baker - PapuaHeterospathe brevicaulis Fernando - LuzonHeterospathe cagayanensis Becc. - LuzonHeterospathe califrons Fernando - PhilippinesHeterospathe clemensiae H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe compsoclada Heatubun - New GuineaHeterospathe delicatula H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe dransfieldii Fernando - PalawanHeterospathe elata Scheff - Philippines, Maluku, New Guinea, MicronesiaHeterospathe elegans Becc. - New GuineaHeterospathe elmeri Becc. - PhilippinesHeterospathe glabra H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe glauca H.E.Moore - MalukuHeterospathe intermedia Fernando - PhilippinesHeterospathe kajewskii Burret - Solomon IslandsHeterospathe ledermanniana Becc. - New GuineaHeterospathe lepidota H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe longipes Norup - FijiHeterospathe macgregorii H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe minor Burret - Solomon IslandsHeterospathe muelleriana Becc. - New GuineaHeterospathe negrosensis Becc. - PhilippinesHeterospathe obriensis H.E.Moore - New GuineaHeterospathe parviflora Essig - Bismarck ArchipelagoHeterospathe philippinensis Becc. - PhilippinesHeterospathe phillipsii D.Fuller & Dowe - FijiHeterospathe pilosa Burret - New GuineaHeterospathe porcata W.J.Baker & Heatubun - Western New GuineaHeterospathe pulchra H.E.Moore - Papua New GuineaHeterospathe pullenii M.S.Trudgen & W.J.Baker - Papua New GuineaHeterospathe ramulosa Burret - Solomon IslandsHeterospathe salomonensis Becc. - Solomon IslandsHeterospathe scitula Fernando - LuzonHeterospathe sensisi Becc. - Solomon IslandsHeterospathe sibuyanensis Becc. - SibuyanHeterospathe sphaerocarpa Burret - New GuineaHeterospathe trispatha Fernando - LuzonHeterospathe uniformis Dowe - VanuatuHeterospathe woodfordiana Becc. - Solomon Islands
Cultivation and uses
The colorful new foliage has increased their popularity in Australia though they are still uncommon there and more so in the United States where only one species is cultivated with any regularity. In any case, they naturally prefer surroundings resembling those in their range, particularly acidic soil which is fast-draining, copious water and protection from cold. The petioles and leaflets are woven and thatched, the palm heart is reportedly eaten, and fruit from H. elata is chewed as a betel substitute.