| Metroxylon warburgii (Southern) Southern Vanuatu Sago Palm With a mature height of less than 10 m (33 ft.), this comparatively small (for a Metroxylon) Metroxylon grows on wet or swampy ground. It is a very attractive and extremely fast growing palm, almost an "instant palm", that can reach nearly 2 m (7 ft.) in a year and its mature height in as little as 8 years. As a seedling, it also makes a very showy indoor plant. The large "snakeskin"-fruits can reach up to 12 cm (5 in.) in diameter. The durable seed is frequently used as vegetable ivory. This form from the southern Islands of Vanuatu is said to be more tolerant of cool conditions and is not only suited to the humid tropics, but also to some frost free warm temperate regions, where it likes a place in full sun with plenty of water available. |