Nypa

Nypa is a genus of palms, commonly known as the Nipa palm or Mangrove palm. It is the only genus in the subfamily Nypoideae, which is one of the 13 subfamilies in the family Arecaceae. The genus contains only one species, Nypa fruticans, which is native to the coastal and estuarine habitats of the Indo-Pacific region.

Description

The Nypa palm is a monotypic genus, meaning it contains only one species. The Nypa fruticans is a unique palm species due to its growth habit. Unlike most palms, which grow upright, the Nypa fruticans grows horizontally, with its trunk growing beneath the ground and only the leaves and flower stalks emerging above the surface. The leaves are pinnate, and can reach up to 9 meters in length.

Habitat

The Nypa palm is a mangrove species, meaning it thrives in brackish water habitats. It is found in the coastal and estuarine habitats of the Indo-Pacific region, including the coasts of East Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

Uses

The Nypa palm has a variety of uses. Its leaves are used for thatching, and its sap can be fermented to produce a type of palm wine known as Arrack. The fruit of the Nypa palm, known as Attap chee, is also edible and is often used in desserts in Southeast Asia.

Conservation

The Nypa palm is not currently considered to be at risk of extinction. However, its habitat is under threat from coastal development and pollution. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting and restoring mangrove habitats.

See also

• Mangrove
• Arecaceae
• Nypa fruticans