Pinanga subterranea explained

Pinanga subterranea is a species of tree in the Arecaceae, or palm tree, family native to Borneo.^{[1] [2]} 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.^[1]

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.^[3] 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 .^[4]

Further reading

• News: Green . Graeme . 'Mind-boggling' palm that flowers and fruits underground thrills scientists . The Guardian . 26 June 2023 .
• News: Ives . Mike . Nindita . Hasya . A Plant That Flowers Underground Is New to Science, but Not to Borneo . 20 January 2024 . The New York Times . 20 January 2024.

Notes and References

1. Randi . Agusti . Petoe . Peter . Kuhnhäuser . Benedikt G. . Chai . Paul P. K. . Bellot . Sidone . Baker . William J. . Pinanga subterranea, a New Arecoid Palm from Borneo that Flowers Underground . Palms . 67 . 2 . 2023 . 57–63 .
2. Kuhnhäuser . Benedikt G. . Randi . Agusti . Petoe . Peter . Chai . Paul P. K. . Bellot . Sidonie . Baker . William J. . Hiding in plain sight: The underground palm Pinanga subterranea . Plants, People, Planet . 26 June 2023 . 10.1002/ppp3.10393 . 259670658 . free .
3. Hidden in plain sight: Rare palm species that flowers underground discovered as new-to-science in Borneo . Kew Gardens . 27 June 2023 .
4. Web site: New species of palm found to flower and fruit underground . Caton . Emma . 7 July 2023 . . 3 December 2023 .