Sago Plim : The Interesting Local Plant in the South

Abstract

          The sago palm is a local plant and it is wildspread in south-east Asia and Oceania. It is probably
one of the first plants which men use its trunk as food in Thailand. The sago palm can be found in many areas in the southernmost provinces like Nakhonsrithommarat, Phathalung, Songkla, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwas. It is the interesting plant because nearly all of its parts can be used in various purposes. For example, the sucker can be eaten fresh, young leaves can be used for wet starch or roofing material. Bark or cortex is often used for flooring or fuel. Young and mature seeds may be used for ornamental purpose and sago palm pith is used as animal feed or it can be extracted as many kinds of food.

          However, comparing with neighboring countries; Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines, there are many problems about utilization. Also, planting of sago palm in Thailand is rather iess and not wildspread. The purpose of this article is to present the general characteristic, propagation, utilization and trend of using sago palm as animal feed, etc.