Sala Fruit Tree (Salacca wallichiana)
Scientific Name: Salacca wallichiana — Sala Palm, Wild Salak.
Native Home: Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, and surrounding regions.
Height: Usually 2–6 metres.
Lifespan: Several decades under favourable growing conditions.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Not commonly used for timber because it is a spiny, clustering palm.
Harvesting: Ripe fruits are hand-picked carefully from clusters near the base of the plant.
Age to Harvest: Often around 3–5 years, depending on growing conditions.
Products: Fresh fruit, fruit preserves, sweets, and beverages.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: The fruit is eaten fresh and used in regional Southeast Asian foods.
Global Spread: Cultivated mainly in Southeast Asia, with limited availability in specialist tropical-fruit collections elsewhere.
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