Pinanga subterranea is a species of tree in the Arecaceae, or palm tree, family native to Borneo.[2][3] It is widespread in the west of the island, where local communities use it for food.[4]
| Pinanga subterranea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Pinanga |
| Species: | P. subterranea
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| Binomial name | |
| Pinanga subterranea Randi & W.J.Baker[1]
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| P. subterranea distribution[2] | |
Botany
editThe species in found in lowland forest valleys 650 metres above sea level and on slopes near streams. It grows well in chalky, red or sandy clay soils.[2]
Ecology
editPollination
editP. subterranea has a highly unusual reproductive strategy. Its subterranean flowers are pollinated beneath the surface. The seeds are dispersed by wild boars, which dig into the ground to reach the fruit.[5] Plants that can flower and bear fruit underground at the same time are rare, with only P. subterranea and orchid genus Rhizanthella can do both of these .[4]
References
edit- ^ "Pinanga subterranea". International Plant Names Index. n.d. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
- ^ a b c Randi, Agusti; Petoe, Peter; Kuhnhäuser, Benedikt G.; Chai, Paul P. K.; Bellot, Sidone; Baker, William J. (2023). "Pinanga subterranea, a New Arecoid Palm from Borneo that Flowers Underground". Palms. 67 (2): 57–63.
- ^ Kuhnhäuser, Benedikt G.; Randi, Agusti; Petoe, Peter; Chai, Paul P. K.; Bellot, Sidonie; Baker, William J. (26 June 2023). "Hiding in plain sight: The underground palm Pinanga subterranea". Plants, People, Planet. doi:10.1002/ppp3.10393. S2CID 259670658.
- ^ a b Caton, Emma (7 July 2023). "New species of palm found to flower and fruit underground". The Natural History Museum. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
- ^ "Hidden in plain sight: Rare palm species that flowers underground discovered as new-to-science in Borneo". Kew Gardens (Press release). 27 June 2023.
Further reading
edit- Green, Graeme (26 June 2023). "'Mind-boggling' palm that flowers and fruits underground thrills scientists". The Guardian.
- Ives, Mike; Nindita, Hasya (20 January 2024). "A Plant That Flowers Underground Is New to Science, but Not to Borneo". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 January 2024.
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