Heterospathe phillipsii is a solitary and generally slender palm that grows up to 15 m in height.
Also known as: Navua Palm
Local Names: Niuniu
Description
This is a solitary and generally slender palm that grows up to 15 m in height. The trunk may become quite stout, to 20 cm in diameter but is usually less than 15cm, and develops a pronounced bulbous base. The fronds are light, feathery and graceful with numerous leaflets; they reach 5 m in length and arch in a curve to below the horizontal and lack a crown shaft. Dead fronds, or frond bases, may persist on the trunk giving it a tattered appearance. When emergent the crown becomes much more compact with 10-12 fronds. The inflorescence is large and wispy, branched to two orders, with small dispersed fruit (a little over 10mm long) which are bright crimson when mature.
Distribution
The Navua palm is known only from three small, highly restricted populations in the forests of southern Viti Levu. One near Nakavu, inland from Navua, the site of the Natural Forest Management Project, the second on the immediate western side of the Navua River and the third inland from Deuba. It has also been reported from the Nukurua area in Tailevu, but this population has not been confirmed and the area is now under mahogany plantation.
Habitat Ecology and Behaviour
This endemic palm occurs sparingly in and on the edge of dense lowland rainforest as an understorey, canopy or semi-emergent palm. These forests are some of the wettest in lowland Fiji.
Masked Shining Parrots (Prosopeia personata) and Barking Pigeons Ducula latrans have been recorded eating the fruit.
Threats
An Endangered palm. One population of this palm occurs within the Natural Forest Management Project Site at Nakavu and so receives some protection there, however, this cannot be considered a secure long-term reserve. NatureFiji-MareqetiViti with the National Trust for Fiji has begun a project to establish a population of this palm in the Trust’s Garrick Reserve which is located only two km from the Nakavu population but has no Navua palms at all. Currently, 200 palms are being propagated by NatureFiji-MareqetiViti and the University of the South Pacific’s Botanical Gardens staff. These will then be translocated to the Garrick Reserve. The intention of this program is that the planting and maintenance work within the Garrick Reserve be undertaken by student volunteers from USP.
Conservation Status
The late Dick Phillips ensured that this palm is conserved in botanical gardens around the world. However, in Fiji, there is no protected area containing these palms and in the wild, its conservation status is very insecure as it is found in lowland forest areas in the lower Rewa river catchment and most of these forests have already been cleared for alternative use and the remaining area is being steadily cleared for agriculture or pasture. The identification of a population which can be protected is a high priority.
Remarks and Cultural Significance
The late Dick Phillips ensured that this palm is conserved in botanical gardens around the world. However, in Fiji, there is no protected area containing these palms and in the wild, its conservation status is very insecure as it is found in lowland forest areas in the lower Rewa river catchment and most of these forests have already been cleared for alternative use and the remaining area is being steadily cleared for agriculture or pasture. The identification of a population which can be protected is a high priority.
References
Watling (2005);
Dowe 1989;
Fuller 1997;
Fuller et al.1997
Front Page Photo: Dick Watling