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Nipah
palm
Nypa fruticans
Family Arecaceae |
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Underground stem
Inflorescence
Growing fruit
washed ashore
'Attap chee' |
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A
large stand of Nipah palm grows along the back mangroves of Chek Jawa
among large mounds of the mud lobster.
The Nipah palm is the among the few palms that grow well in mangroves.
It grows in soft mud, usually where the water is calmer, but where
there is regular inflow of freshwater and nutritious silt. They can
be found inland, as far as the tide can deposit the Palm's floating
seeds. It can tolerate infrequent inundation, so long as the soil
does not dry out for too long.
Compared to the Coconut, the Nipah palm appears to lack a trunk, with
its leaves growing straight out of the ground. In fact, its trunk
is horizontal and lies underground. The trunk branches and each branch
ends with a bunch of enormous leaves about 9m long. The base of the
frond is air-filled to help it stay upright. This habit of growing
from underground stems results in almost pure stands of Nipah palm.
The female flowers are spherical while the male flowers are yellow
catkins found on the lower branches. The fruits form into a large
ball about the size and shape of a soccer-ball, rising from the mud
on a stalk. When it ripens, the ball breaks away and breaks up into
individual fruits. These float away and may even germinate as they
float.
Role in the habitat: The Nipah
palm's horizontal creeping stem stabilises river banks preventing
soil erosion. New fronds emerge quickly after damage and so quickly
protect the land after storms and also continuously produce useful
products for the locals.
Human uses: The Nipah palm is
well used by coastal dwellers. Its huge leaves are used to thatch
roofs of attap huts or woven into mats, baskets and other household
items. Its immature fruits are eaten as 'attap chee'. Before the inflorescence
blooms, it is tapped to collect a sweet sap that is made into brown
sugar ('gula melaka') or liquor ('toddy'). On some islands, the sap
tapped from the palm is fed to pigs instead, allowing the pigs to
fatten during the dry season when other fodder is scarce. The pigs
are also fed the leftovers after sugar preparation. In this way, the
Nipah Palm results in protein for the community. Young leaves are
used to roll cigarettes. Young Nipah Palm shoots can be eaten. The
petals of the flower can be brewed to make an aromatic tea.
Status and threats: The Nipah
palm is considered rare and endangered on mainland Singapore. However,
large stands of Nipah palm can still be seen on Pulau Ubin. |
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quick
facts
Fronds up to about 9m long, common in the back mangroves
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