This palm is now rare in many forested areas of Brunei because the growth bud or ubud is harvested to make a delicious green salad by cutting down the whole palm. The trunk of the palm is covered in thick spines to prevent sun bears climbing the palm to eat the bud.
The small marbled sized fruit grow in long strings. They ripen green and are dispersed by fruit bats.
A closely related similar looking palm Oncosperma tigilarium is still common in coastal areas of Brunei growing in slightly brackish swamps at the back of mangroves.
PLANTS of the BELALONG CANOPY WALKWAY 