Metroxylon (amicarum)
|
Pius Liyagel State Forester Yap Forestry PO Box 1000 Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia 96941 www.wildflowerfarm.com |
| Family Scientific Name: | Arecaceae | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Family Common Name: | Palm Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Metroxylon amicarum | ||
| Common Synonym: | Coelococcus carolinensis | ||
| Common Name: | Caroline ivory nut palm, rupung | ||
| Species Code: | METAMI | ||
| Ecotype: | Yap | ||
| General Distribution: | Caroline ivory-nut palm is native to the Caroline Islands of Micronesia, Guam and the Phillipines. On Yap, it has become quite rare. It is usually found in wet, swampy areas and along riverbanks. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 3L (1 gal) polybags | ||
| Time To Grow: | 10 Months | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: N/A (4 to 5 fronds)<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm Root Plug in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Flowers on borne on a large axillary inflorescence. Flowers are produced regularly which enables it to constantly bear fruit. Seeds are collected by hand when fully mature and when available. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | The unusual fruits are covered with numerous shiny brown scales and superficially resemble a closed pine cone. Mature seeds are brown with very hard, white endosperm, and are 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in diameter. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: | None; fully mature seeds are planted after collection. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
The Yap Agroforestry nursery has a year round growing season with periods of high rainfall. The facility is comprised of one large greenhouse, shade structures, and mist propagation beds, and an outdoor growing compound. All propagation environments are utilized at different stages of seedling growth to protect seedlings from heavy rains, and provide to temperature and shading variance during production. We irrigate all containers by hand, but are investigating a sub-irrigation system for the nursery. We use fertilizers if when they are available. |
||
| Establishment Phase: |
Inferred seed dormancy is morpho-physilogical dormancy. Seeds do not germinate for up to 6 months after planting due to complex seed dormancy. Once embryos are fully developed, seeds begin to germinate. Seedlings are germinated in the greenhouse were they arer protected from excessive rainfall. Containers are watered by hand. We use a growing medium of 2:1:1 (v:v:v) sand, seaweed compost, and topsoil. |
||
| Length of Establishment Phase: | 6 months | ||
| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings are grown under a shadecloth during summer months. During months of intense summer heat, containers are watered daily with occasional deep irrigation to leach out accumulated salts. | ||
| Length of Active Growth Phase: | 3 months | ||
| Hardening Phase: | Irrigation frequency and duration is gradually reduced for 4 weeks prior to outplanting. At this stage, seedlings typically have 4 to 5 fronds and a firm root plug. | ||
| Length of Hardening Phase: | 1 month | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: | Containerized seedlings are stored in the open growing compound until moved to outplanting site. | ||
| Length of Storage: | Variable; depends on outplanting date. | ||
| Other Comments: |
The woody (lignified) stem often grow to heights 25 m (80 ft)and has a forked habit. Prickly, large stems are 3-5ft. Young ones are pubescent. Ivory nut palm leaves are a main source of roof thatch on Pohnpei. The fruit (white endosperm) is eaten by pigs and shrimp. The nut is used for wood carving. |
||
Citation:
Liyagel, Pius. 2005. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Metroxylon amicarum plants 3L (1 gal) polybags; Yap Forestry Yap Islands, Federated States of Micronesia. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
