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Demand for destructive palm to be removed from ornamental trade
View(s):By Nidarshani Wickramasinghe
Scientifically named Pinanga coronata, the ornamental Ivory Cane Palm, which is widely cultivated in home gardens, is wreaking havoc on Sri Lanka’s biodiversity, according to research by Senior Environmental Lawyer Dr Jagath Gunawardana.
According to his observations, the plant has already turned into an alien species in Sri Lanka.
Dr Gunawardana has recommended that it be delisted from ornamental horticulture in Sri Lanka immediately.
Field surveys reveal that the species is encroaching on forest patches of the Ratnapura District, including the Pitadeniya area of the Sinharaja World Heritage Rainforest. This, he warns, places both wet zone and hill country forests in a serious silent invader threat.
The increased growth rate of the plant is because of flora dispersal of the fruit and seeds that fall. Palm colonies form near a single tree, preventing other plant species from growing.
Dr Gunawardana said that the palm’s leaves are broad even during its juvenile stage, shading other plants.
Indigenous to the Indonesian Islands of Java and Sumatra, Ivory Cane Palm grows to 10 metres in height, with yellowish thin stems. The broad fronds are densely packed, restricting sunlight penetration to the forest floor. Its green fluorescent clusters turn to bright red, which eventually yield fruit that change from green to purple-black and are readily dispersed by animals.
Cultivation advice underlines the species’ love of shades and moisture conditions that make rainforests particularly vulnerable. The palm also produces suckers on the base, resulting in compact clumps which shade understory plants from sunlight.
The species has already been found to be invasive in Fiji. Scientific reports have recorded its devastating ecological impact. It has invaded the Andaman Islands as well. Dr Gunawardana said these serve as a sharp reminder to Sri Lanka to act quickly.
“Individuals should know whether this palm is intruding from household gardens to nearby lands and forest environments,” he said.
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