Brief
Arenga pinnata, sugar palm or locally known as Enau and Kabong among the Malay community.
Botanical Description
This species is easily distinguished from its trunk appearance covered with black fibers from the old leaf bases. It is a medium-sized palm, growing to 20 m tall, with the trunk remaining covered by the rough old leaf bases.
Historical / Cultural Significance
Cultivated for its multiple uses, this palm has long been valued as a sustainable plant for food, fiber, and construction materials. Its sap, rich in sugar, was a primary sweetener before sugar cane became widespread, with traditional communities tapping it for fresh or fermented juice.
The tree is deeply intertwined with local life, providing income for villagers over generations. Its leaves are eaten cooked, and the apical bud, or “heart of palm,” can be used raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. However, removing the bud causes the plant to die.
The timber is prized for high-grade construction, used in posts, beams, flooring, and other durable applications.
Folklore / Etymology
The Enau tree is featured in the Malay proverb “Bagai enau dalam belukar, melepaskan pucuk masing-masing,” which translates to “Like the Enau tree in the thicket, each shoots its own.” This signifies a lack of agreement or consensus within a society or discussion.