Nypa+fruticans


 * Nipah palm ** //Nypa fruticans// Wurmb. toc

Having a popular local Singapore dessert - Ice Kachang or Chendol - and you wonder what is that oval, sweet and translucent white jelly? It is 'attap chee', which means 'attap seed', that comes from the Nipah palm.
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= What is it? =

General Information
Nipah, Nipah Palm, Water Coconut, Water palm
 * ====** Common names **====

Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (1779)
 * Scientific name **

'Nypa' is the latinised version of the common name 'nipah' that is used in the Philippines and the Moluccas, while 'fruticans' is the Latin word for 'shrubby', which refers to the palm's stemless appearance. 1]   **IUCN Red List status**: Least concerned (2010) **Status in Singapore**: Nationally Vulnerable (2010) 1]2] || ** A Quick Scientific Classification **
 * Etymology (origins of naming) **
 * Synonyms ** Cocos nypa Lour. (1790), Nipa litoralis Blanco. (1837), Nipa arborescens Wurmb ex H. Wendl. (1878)

Vascular plants Flowering plants Monocotyledons Palms Nipah palm || **Interesting facts **
 * Plants **
 * Probably the oldest palm species, with fossil records dating 65-70 million years ago
 * Though not the only palm species associated with the mangroves, Nipah palm is the only member in the palm family that constitutes as a major element of mangrove flora
 * The Nipah virus, which can cause neurological and respiratory diseases, was named so as the virus’ first human source was isolated in a village by a river full of Nipah palms. The virus is NOT actually transmitted by the palm!

= How does it live? =

Biology
This tropical palm grows in areas with warm and humid climate, where temperatures range from a minimum of 20°C to about 32-35°C, and more than 1000mm of monthly rainfall throughout the year. Nipah palm naturally thrives in the soft, muddy substrates of brackish waters and estuarine rivers that have tidal influence which brings in nutrients. It may also be found inland or upstream of rivers on the upper tidal reaches. 3] ||  ||
 * ==== ** Natural habitat **  ====
 * ==== ** Ecology **  ====

**Pollination** of Nipah flowers is by some insects and wind, but mainly by drosophilid flies.

Fertilized flowers develop into fruits, forming a large infructescence. When a fruit grows plumule while still on the parent plant, the fruit is pushed away and detached from the infructescence. The fibrous fruit is buoyant and stays afloat on water, and subsequently **dispersed** by water. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5; vertical-align: super;">1] ||  ||

= Where can it be found? =

** Natural range **
Nypa fruticans is native to South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia and Pacific Islands. It is common in the estuaries and coasts of Indian and Pacific oceans. 1]3]

** Globally **
Apart from its natural range, the Nipah palm can also be found in West Africa following its introduction in 1906 from the Singapore Botanic Gardens, and have subsequently been found in Panama and Trinidad as well. 1]

** In Singapore **
The Nipah palm can be found mostly in the Northern coasts of mainland and also on a few offshore islands in the Northeastern and South of Singapore. The map below shows the locations where Nipah populations are found. Although it may seem that the Nipah palms are mostly situated away from the urban city centre, they are still at risk of local extinction if threatened (see Conservation & Management below).

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= How to identify a Nipah palm? =

Diagnosis/Descriptions

 * ====** Habit & Structure **====

Shrub-like, as named. 4] It differs from other palms in the lack of an upright stem, instead it has underground horizontal stem, known as rhizome, that branches dichotomously.

Each new plant grows out from these branches, resulting in an extensive, closely packed Nipah strands.

Mature Nipah palms may grow as high as 10m tall. This height is contributed by the palm leaves growing upwards in a rosette pattern

from the ground surface. 3]

|| ||
 * = ==== ** Leaves ** ====

Each stiff, erect leaf may extend up to 9m long. Leaves are pinnate with long, alternating leaflets branching out from the main leaf stalk. These leaflets may be 60 to 130cm long and numerous in number at 30 to 40 leaflets per leaf.

The upper leaf blades are shiny green and the lower surface may be powdery. The leaf bases overlap below ground, although these may be exposed by erosion of the substrate over time. 1]3] ||= ||
 * = ==== ** Inflorescence ** ====

The Nipah palm has both female and male flowers on the same plant. These yellow inflorescence arise from sturdy 1m long stalks from the base of the palm.

The inflorescence are dimorphic - the female flowers are arranged into a round, golf-sized ball at the tip of the central stalk, while the much smaller male flowers are closely packed into a club-shaped spike branching from the central stalk. 3] ||= ||
 * = ==== ** Fruit & Seed ** ====

Similar to the female flowers, the Nipah fruits are arranged in a spherical bunch that can be 30-45cm in diameter. Each angular fruit is fibrous and chestnut-brown, ranging from 10-15cm long and 5-8cm wide.

As the fruits mature, the stalk supporting the fruit bunch often droops due to the weight (see photo on the left), but it may be held up by incoming seawater in areas with tidal influence.

Within each fruit, an egg-shaped seed with soft, edible endosperm is contained. 1]3]  ||= ||

** Type Information ** The Nypa fruticans holotype specimen can be found at the US National Herbarium (barcode 00016972). One may refer to this model specimen to confirm the identity of the Nipah palm.
 * [[image:specimen.jpg caption="The Nipah palm holotype specimen. © Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Botany"]] ||

= **Why is this plant so important to us?**  =

**Economical Importance**
The Nipah palm is one of the most heavily utilised mangrove species in the world! Have you come across these uses 5] before?

**Nutritional value**

 * ** Attap Chee **

The soft endosperms of young Nipah seeds are a delicacy in the tropical regions. These are often preserved in syrup and they make a popular dessert ingredient in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.




 * Spice **

Salt can even be extracted from the stems and petioles of the Nipah palm. || ** Beverages/Vinegar **

The sugary sap from the inflorescence and stalk can be used to make alcoholic beverage commonly known as 'toddy' in some parts of South and Southeast Asia. It can also be used to make vinegar.




 * Traditional medicines **

The young shoots, burned roots and leaves or the decayed wood of Nipah have been used to make traditional remedies for toothache, headache and even herpes. ||

** Household materials/products **

 * ** Roof thatching **

Traditionally, the leaves of the Nipah palm have been harvested for roof thatching and wall material.

Mature Nipah leaves are dried and the midribs are removed. The leaves are folded over a main rod of bamboo or wood and placed overlapping the adjacent leaves before stitching them tight.

These roofing material may last for 5 years or more.

A commercial market for such roof thatching has even developed in the 1980s. || ||
 * ** Brooms **

Locally known as 'sapu lidi' in Indonesia, it is a common household item made from the dried midribs of the Nipah leaflets.

Apart from using the 'twig broom' to sweep the floor, it can also be used to remove dust on mattresses.This is done by hitting the mattress repeatedly with the broom to let the dust disperse into the air.

|| ** Firewood **

Parts of the Nipah palm that are unused for other functions are used as a source of fuel-wood for fire in many villages.


 * Biofuel **

Sparked by the rising cost of fossil fuels, an interest in ethanol for fuel from the sugary palm sap began as early as the 1910s in the Philippines. 5]

In Malaysia, the potential of Nipah ethanol as biofuel is high and companies hope to produce over 6 million litres of Nipah ethanol per year. 9] ||
 * ** Handicrafts **

In many Malaysian villages, locals are still actively making traditional bowls or containers, mats, hats, bags or even umbrellas using the dried midribs of palms.

These are often sold as handicrafts for livelihood.

The hardened mature seeds are used as buttons too! || || The Nipah sap is fed to pigs in some islands of Indonesia, as it is known to make the pork meat taste sweeter. 3]
 * Others **
 * Pig feed **

** Coastal protection **
The Nipah palms' unique horizontal rhizomes growing underground can help to stabilize coastal areas and river banks, this protecting the land-water margins from erosion by oncoming water and waves. Similar to mangroves, Nipah palms growing along the coastlines act as buffer regions, absorbing the impact of oncoming waves or storms and strong winds. 6] In fact, they are important components of land progression (coastline extension) as they retain silt and sediments 6] deposited by the surrounding waters.

**Habitat for other organisms**
The Nipah palm population is home to a community of organisms. These includes the African mud crab (//Panopeus africanus//), stone crab (//Menhippe nodifrons//), mangrove oyster (//Crassostrea gasar//) 7], and the edible mud mussels (//Geloina coaxans//) 3]. The Nipah mangrove areas are also important hiding and spawning grounds for many other marine organisms. All in all, the Nipah mangroves contributes to increased species richness through habitat heterogeneity. 8] Maintaining species richness is especially important in Singapore since it is a biodiversity hotspot.

= What can we do to protect this treasure? =

Conservation & Management
Since Singapore's independence in 1965, rapid urbanization have caused the loss of as much as 90% of the original mangrove-covered area. 8] As such it is crucial that we protect the mangroves of this sunny island. One of such mangrove species, the Nipah palm is a native plant species in Singapore. Recently it has been classified as ** nationally endangered ** in Singapore.

** Threats **
In Singapore, the main threat to the Nipah palm populations today is habitat loss or destruction. 1] This is due to land reclamation, land use change such as making way for the construction of housing estates and even for waste disposal sites as in Pulau Semakau, or the creation of artificial seawalls to stabilize coastlines. Pollution from organic wastes or oil from shipyards and petroleum-based industries, especially in Singapore where it is a petro-chemical hub, is also a serious problem. 6]

** Management in Singapore **
Nipah palm populations at the Sungei Buloh Nature Reserve, Pulau Ubin (offshore rural recreation spot) and Pulau Tekong (military training grounds) are protected, although reclamation activities are currently ongoing in Pulau Tekong and this may have adverse effects on the Nipah palm populations there. On the other hand, the wild populations in various parks across Singapore such as Admilralty Park and Pasir Ris Park are relatively safe from future human developments. In addition, there have also been plans to gazette the Berlayar Creek and Lim Chu Kang mangrove regions as protected areas in the near future 1] -- this is good news for our Nipah palms! The Nipah palm has been successfully cultivated in freshwater at Singapore Botanic Gardens' Eco-Lake 1], suggesting its replanting suitability. In other regions such as Malaysia, Nipah palm seedlings have proven to thrive well after replanting along river banks 10]. Following the pressing threats to Singapore's Nipah populations, we can look into replanting them in other areas safe from habitat alterations. The National Parks Board (NParks) have actively been educating the public about Nipah palm and other common native species that can be found around Singapore through description boards erected along trails in parks and nature reserves.
 * Protected nature reserves **
 * Replanting **
 * ** Education **

Such information help to increase awareness of the existence of such species, its role in the ecosystem, and its practical uses for humankind.

Only when the general public is aware that these plant species is of such importance to them, will they want to protect it and take actions. ||< ||

In Singapore, every resident is encouraged to be responsible for their own environment. No action is too small to make a difference on our planet. So here are two simple tips for protecting our mangroves:
 * Individual responsibility **
 * When visiting parks or nature reserves, take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but your footprints!
 * Be actively aware of environmental issues and get involved in conservation activities - you can start by volunteering in mangrove cleanup activities.

** Remember, without the Nipah palm, we will not have that sweet, translucent white jelly in our Ice Kachang anymore! **

= Glossary of terms =
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Dichotomous ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Branches into two parts || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Midrib ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The middle vein of a leaf ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Dimorphic ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Occurrence in two distinct forms || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Monocotyledons ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Plants that produce seeds with a single cotyledon (the primary leaf of the embryo of seed plants) ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Endosperm ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The nutritive material in seed plant ovules, usually surrounding the actual seed || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Native species ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Species that are endemic to the area in relation ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Habit ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">(Botany) The form in which a plant grows || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Petiole ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The stalk which attaches the leaf blade to the main stem of a plant ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Habitat heterogeneity ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Variatons of environmental conditions within a particular habitat || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Plumule ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The shoot that first grew out of the embryo in germinating seeds ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Holotype specimen ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The type specimen from which the species description is obtained || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Synonym ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Other scientific names that refer to the same species ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Inflorescence ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">A cluster of flowers; flowers collectively || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Type information ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The exact individual specimen from which the species description is obtained for reference ||
 * **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Infructescence ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The fruiting stage of inflorescence || **<span style="color: #002060; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Vascular plants ** || <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Plants with vascular system (having a system of vessels that conduct fluid to different parts of the plant) ||

= References & Links =

Other online pages on the Nipah palm can be found at these links: [] [] []

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">1: Teo, S., Ang, W. F., Lok, A. F. S. L., Kurukulasuriya, B. R., & Tan, H. T. W. (2010). The status and distribution of the nipah palm, //<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Nypa fruticans //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> Wurmb (Arecaceae), in Singapore. //<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Nature in Singapore ////<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">. 3: 45-52. //

2: NParks Flora and Fauna Web online at []

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">3: Lim, T. K. (2012). Nypa fruticans. In //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">(pp. 402-406). Springer Netherlands.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">4: Moore Jr, H. E., & Uhl, N. W. (1973). Palms and the origin and evolution of monocotyledons. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Quarterly Review of Biology //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">, 414-436.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">5: Hamilton, L. S., & Murphy, D. H. (1988). Use and management of nipa palm (Nypa fruticans, Arecaceae): a review. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Economic Botany //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">42 //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">(2), 206-213.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">6: <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Hsiang, L. L. (2000). Mangrove conservation in Singapore: A physical or a psychological impossibility?. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">Biodiversity & Conservation //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">9 //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">(3), 309-332.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">7: Udoidiong, O. M., & Ekwu, A. O. (2011). Nipa Palm (Nypa fruticans Wurmb) and the Intertidal Epibenthic Macrofauna East of the Imo River Estuary, Nigeria. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">World Applied Sciences Journal //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">14 //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">(9), 1320-1330.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">8: Yee, A. T. K., Ang, W. F., Teo, S., Liew, S. C., & Tan, H. T. W. (2010). The present extent of mangrove forests in Singapore. //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">Nature in Singapore //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">, //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">3 //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">, 139-145.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,sans-serif;">9: Online article 'Malaysian company thinks it can produce 6.48 billion liters of ethanol from Nipah' at []

10: Personal experience from a volunteering activity with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at Terengganu, Malaysia in May 2013.