Metroxylon sagu
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| Metroxylon sagu | ||||||||||||||
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| Metroxylon sagu Rottb. |
Metroxylon sagu is a species of palm in the genus Metroxylon, native to tropical southeastern Asia in Indonesia (Irian Jaya and the Moluccas) and Papua New Guinea, and possibly also Malaysia and the Philippines (though may be introduced there).[1]
It is a monocarpic palm growing to 10 m tall or more, with pinnate leaves up to 7 m long.[2]
[edit] Cultivation and uses
It is of commercial importance as the main source of sago, a powdery starch used in cooking for puddings, noodles, breads, and as a thickener.
[edit] References
- ^ Germplasm Resources Information Network: Metroxylon sagu
- ^ Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.
