Metroxylon sagu aka Sago Palm

Metroxylon sagu, or sago palm, belongs to the palm family, Arecaceae. Its native range runs from Maluku to New Guinea. People grow it across much of Southeast Asia for food. It also grows wild in lowland rain forests. Freshwater swamps provide its main habitat, with year-round or seasonal flooding. In Papua New Guinea's Sepik region, it supplies a staple food.

This evergreen palm forms several stems and sends up suckers. Reported heights range from 20–82 feet [6–25 metres]. One reference gives a height of 33 feet [10 metres]. Another lists a spread of 33 feet [10 metres]. Its unbranched trunks measure about 1.1–2 feet [0.35–0.6 metres] across. Each trunk carries a crown of about 18–20 leaves. The pinnate leaves reach 16–23 feet [5–7 metres], sometimes more. Spines or sharp edges can make handling the plant hazardous.

An upright flower cluster grows at the stem's tip. The palm is not self-fertile. Its drupe-like fruits have a covering of scales. The stem's inner pith holds starch used to make sago. Growers cut trunks just before flowering, when starch levels peak. They chop the pith and wash out the starch. People cook it by boiling, frying, or roasting. It also serves as a thickener in prepared foods. The apical bud is eaten raw or cooked. PFAF also lists the fruit as edible.

This palm needs a warm, wet tropical setting and full sun. Even small plants grow well without shade. It prefers moist to wet ground rich in organic matter. Clay suits it best, though sandy and loamy soils also work. It tolerates a broad soil pH range, salt, and coastal exposure. Best daytime temperatures fall between 25 and 36°C. Reported dormant survival reaches only about 10°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 11–12. Seeds need wet conditions and may take months to sprout. Growers can also divide suckers.

Leaves supply roof thatch and material for baskets and mats. Bark provides fuel and flooring. Plantings can serve as windbreaks and help restore damaged land. Roots trap silt and help hold wet soil in place. Spiny young palms can form barriers around livestock areas. PFAF reports no weed potential and lists no known medicinal uses. The supplied sources give no specific pest or disease details. They also provide no clear assessment of toxicity.