Heterospathe elata

A robust, single-stemmed palm native to the Philippines, Palau, Guam, Maluku, and Gag Island in Indonesian New Guinea. It can reach up to 20 meters in height with a stem diameter of up to 23 cm. The crown bears 14–21 large, arching pinnate leaves, each with 61–74, and occasionally up to 89, regularly arranged, linear leaflets per side. Its interfoliar inflorescences, occasionally branched to four orders, are up to 1.5 meters long and bear numerous rachillae. The flowers are cream to pinkish, with female flowers glabrous and imbricate. Fruits are bright red, globose, and typically 6.4–10 mm in diameter, occasionally bi-lobed or tri-lobed, and unusually contain two or three seeds—distinct among Arecoid palms. The species thrives in limestone forest near sea level, particularly on Gag Island. It is considered Least Concern by the IUCN and has been traditionally used in house construction.

Weight: 0.1 oz.