In 2023, the botanical world was stunned by the invention Pinanga SubterraneaUnusual species of palm trees from Borneo rainforests.
This hand attracted a big attention of scientists due to its rare ability: the whole reproductive process – from flowering to fruiting – completely underground.
The species has been officially described by a cooperating team of scientists from Herbarium Bogoriense (Indonesia), Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (Great Britain) and the University of Zurich (Switzerland), with the participation of local communities in Western Calimantan, Indonesia and Saravian, Malaysia.
Underground flowering and fruit
Pinanga Subterranea List two unusual features: geoflora (blooming undergrounds) and geocarpippic (underground fruiting). Part of the flower or fruit doesn’t come out above. When the fruits ripen, it becomes vibrant red, but stays hidden underground.
A study published for the primary time in The Palms Journal entitled “Pinanga SubterraneaNew Hand Arecoid with Borneo, which blooms underground“He emphasized that that is the primary case within the Palm family (Arecaceae), which has such reproductive capability.
Underground reproduction often occurs only in several species from vegetable families, which makes this discovery a breakthrough progress within the study of morphology and evolution of tropical plants.
Also read: Malaysian forest secret: strange plants that live without leaves or light
Ecological area of interest Pinanga Subterranea on Borneo
This species of palm trees naturally grows in lowland rainforests Borneo, especially in areas with clay, limestone sand or red soil with a high moisture level. Its increase was recorded at an altitude of 100 to 650 meters above sea level.
The plant seems inconspicuous as a result of the short stem, which is usually buried underground. However, his leaves stand up, consisting of 4 to six leaves, each with a length of about 25-85 centimeters.
Natural “partnership” with bearded pigs Borneo
In the Bornean Rainforest ecosystem, Pinanga Subterranea He has intriguing symbiotic relationships with wildlife, especially Bornean Bearded Świnie (Pig beard). These animals dig the soil seeking palm fruit, which makes it a natural a part of their weight loss plan.
After use, palm seeds are dispersed by pig droppings, which helps naturally expand the distribution of the species within the forest.
Research published in plants, People, Planet entitled “Hiding within the view: Underground hand Pinanga Subterranea“He also mentions that this strategy is an efficient ecological adaptation to a closed, moist and weak tropical environment of the DNA of the forest.
Native observations and scientific discovery
Interestingly, even though it was only recently documented scientifically, the indigenous communities in Borneo have long been aware of the existence and advantages of this underground palm. In Kalimantan, he’s often called “Pinang Tanah” or “Maring Pelandok”, and its fruits are sometimes consumed as a natural forest snack.
Investigative article published by The Guardian In mid -2012, he emphasized that a successful scientific identification Pinanga Subterranea It largely relied on the ecological knowledge of the local people, which understood the life cycle of plants long before the Western science formally recognized by Western.
