Nypa fruticans Wurmb

Nipah (Nypa fruticans) is a palm up to 10 meters tall of the Arecaceae family that grows along the coasts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, distributed from Bangladesh and India to Japan and Indonesia. Its broad leaves are woven into roofing, baskets, and mats, while its young shoots can be eaten. Traditionally, nipah is also believed to aid digestion and act as an antidote.

Generally grows in brackish swamp areas or tidal areas near the coast, mangrove forest environments with an acidity level of pH 6-6.5. This plant prefers a humid climate, with rainfall of more than 100 mm/month throughout the year, air temperature 20-35 °C. Able to grow in areas with somewhat fresh water and tolerant of somewhat dry land.

• Roots fibrous and long.
• Stem creeps underground and forms a rhizome.
• Leaves compound, young leaves yellow, old leaves green.
• Flowers compound emerging from leaf axils, male flowers arranged in a panicle and female flowers clustered at the tip forming a ball.
• Fruit egg-shaped and flattened.

• Propagated using fruit.
• Generally propagates naturally and is rarely cultivated.

Essential amino acids (histidine, arginine, threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine and lysine), alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, kaempferol.

Aids digestion, fever reducer, antidote, sedative, cough, sore throat, anticancer, headache remedy, and toothache.

Not yet available 

Buyuk (Java, Bali), Bobo (Manado), Parenga, Pureno (Maluku).