The Sweet Sugar Palm

A walk through the garden today brings us to the Rishi from the Himalayas murti where two stunning Arenga pinnatas are blossoming again. This is the first time we have captured the early protective sheath that covers the inflorescense, and also its removal to reveal the flower buds.

When you visit Siva's Sacred Garden, you must stand in front of this Sugar Palm, a true gem of Southeast Asia, especially revered in Indonesia and the Philippines. Towering up to 20 meters, this majestic palm boasts large, feather-like leaves that dance in Kauai's tropical breeze. More than just a scenic marvel, every element of the sugar palm is utilized by local communities. The sap is tapped and transformed into sweet sugar and aromatic alcohol (called arrack). Its fibers are woven into durable ropes and rustic brooms, while the broad fronds find a second life as robust roofing materials. This versatile palm is a cornerstone of sustainability and a testament to the ingenuity of traditional practices in harmonizing with nature.

Here you see it (actually there are two of them side by side) behind Rishi\

s murti.'

The sheath is slowing working its way loose from the massive inflorescence.

Now they can breath freely and bask in the island sun.

The buds take months to mature into flowers and more months to develop into seeds.

The young seeds look like dreadlocks!

And develop into this monster, which is more than six feet tall.

Soon the purple flower buds will open.

There are many hundreds, maybe thousands, on a single inflorescence. Oddly, our tree has not given seedlings yet. It should, because these trees have both male and female flowers, so is self-pollinating. This palm is another of Siva\

s Remarkable Creations. A billion human bio-engineers working for a thousand years would not be enough to create the complexity of such a living creature. Jai to the Great Architect.'
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