| Field notes | Solitary palm to 8m or more, cultivated in small groves for betel nut, but said to occur naturally in the forest in this area. Crown with 7 leaves. Crownshaft 100cm long x 10cm wide. Sheath 88cm long, coated evenly (though more sparsely towards the sheath mouth) with thin bright pink-red indument and scattered white scales. Leaf 187cm long including 4cm petiole. Leaflets 35 each side of rachis, variously 1-3 folded, arranged regularly. Inflorescence 50cm long including 4cm peduncle, prophyll 51cm long x 15cm wide, bright pink-red, c.88 primary branches, all branches yellowish, but tinged with red at pistillate petal tips, staminate petals pinkred. Immature fruit red, cylindrical, 2cm long, said to be red when ripe. This palm is notable for its spectacular red crownshaft. Widely cultivated and used for betel nut in the Finschhafen area. At this elevation it is cultivated more commonly than Areca catechu. Rarely, if ever, cultivated at the coast. Vernacular: Rig Dialect: Kottei |
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