Pinanga subterranea

{{Speciesbox

|image = Pinanga subterranea. Mature, fruiting individual, with leaf litter and soil partially removed around base to expose tip of infructescence.jpg

|status =

|status_system =

|status_ref =

|genus = Pinanga

|species = subterranea

|authority = Randi & W.J.Baker{{cite web |url=https://www.ipni.org/n/77322776-1 |title=Pinanga subterranea |date=n.d. |website=International Plant Names Index |access-date=10 July 2023}}

|synonyms =

|range_map = Map of Borneo and Southeast Asia.png

|range_map_caption = P. subterranea distribution

}}

Pinanga subterranea is a species of tree in the Arecaceae, or palm tree, family native to Borneo.{{cite journal |last1=Randi |first1=Agusti |last2=Petoe |first2=Peter |last3=Kuhnhäuser |first3=Benedikt G. |last4=Chai |first4=Paul P. K. |last5=Bellot |first5=Sidone |last6=Baker |first6=William J. |title=Pinanga subterranea, a New Arecoid Palm from Borneo that Flowers Underground |journal=Palms |volume=67 |issue=2 |date=2023 |pages=57–63 |url=https://kew.iro.bl.uk/concern/articles/de820e60-4c53-44d8-921e-d95f554181d7 }}{{cite journal |last1=Kuhnhäuser |first1=Benedikt G. |last2=Randi |first2=Agusti |last3=Petoe |first3=Peter |last4=Chai |first4=Paul P. K. |last5=Bellot |first5=Sidonie |last6=Baker |first6=William J. |title=Hiding in plain sight: The underground palm Pinanga subterranea |journal=Plants, People, Planet |date=26 June 2023 |volume=5 |issue=6 |pages=815–820 |doi=10.1002/ppp3.10393 |s2cid=259670658 |doi-access=free |bibcode=2023PlPP....5..815K }} It is widespread in the west of the island, where local communities use it for food.

Botany

The species in found in lowland forest valleys 650 metres above sea level and on slopes near streams. It grows well in chalky, red or sandy clay soils.

Ecology

= Pollination =

P. subterranea has a highly unusual reproductive strategy. Its subterranean flowers are pollinated beneath the surface. The seeds are dispersed by wild boars, which dig into the ground to reach the fruit.{{cite press release |title=Hidden in plain sight: Rare palm species that flowers underground discovered as new-to-science in Borneo |url=https://www.kew.org/about-us/press-media/pinanga-subterranea |work=Kew Gardens |date=27 June 2023 }} Plants that can flower and bear fruit underground at the same time are rare, with only P. subterranea and orchid genus Rhizanthella can do both of these .{{cite web |url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2023/july/new-species-of-palm-found-to-flower-and-fruit-underground.html |title=New species of palm found to flower and fruit underground |last= Caton |first=Emma |date=7 July 2023 |website=The Natural History Museum |access-date=3 December 2023 }}

Pinanga subterranea

Botany

Ecology

= Pollination =

References

Further reading