Salak Palm, Snake Palm

Salacca zalacca

Physical Characteristics

Salacca zalacca is an evergreen Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Malaysia.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Edible Uses: Fruit - raw[297 ]. An acid flavour[297 ]. Slightly crisp, with a delicious blend of acids and sugars and an apple-like flavour[200 , 301 ] The flesh is exceptionally firm and crisp for a tropical fruit[303 ]. It is quite sweet when fully ripe, but the unripe fruit is sour and astringent due to the presence of a little tannic acid[303 ]. Considered to be one of the finest of palm fruits for eating raw[301 ]. In Indonesia the fruits are also candied ('manisan salak'), pickled ('asinan salak') and fresh unripe ones may be used in 'rujak', a spicy salad of unripe fruit[303 ]. The reddish-brown, ovoid fruit is 6 - 8cm in diameter[200 ]. The seed is edible[301 ]. The seed kernels of the young fruits of the Javanese 'Pondoh' form are edible[303 ].

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling