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
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Pinanga
Species:
P. subterranea
Binomial name
Pinanga subterranea
Randi & W.J.Baker[1]
P. subterranea distribution[2]

Botany

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The 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

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Pollination

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P. 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

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  1. ^ "Pinanga subterranea". International Plant Names Index. n.d. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "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

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