Nypa fruticans

Nypa fruticans , also known as the Attap Palm (Singapore), Mangrove Palm and Nipah Palm (Malaysia), is one of the few palms that grow well in mangroves. It grows in Asia, predominantly in southern Asia.

This palm tree usually thrives in mangroves and watersheds. It has long, feathery leaves which are commonly used by the local population as roof materials for thatched houses or dwellings. The leaves are also used in many types of basketry and thatching.

The Nipah Palm has a horizontal trunk that lies underground with its leaves growing straight out of the ground. It grows between 4 and 9 m tall. The leaves are up to 9 m long. The flowers are a globular inflorescence of female flowers at the tip with catkin-like red or yellow male flowers on the lower branches. It yields woody seeds, in clusters compressed into a ball some 25 cm across on a single stick. The ripe seeds separate from the ball and float away, occasionally germinating while still water-borne.

Fossil mangrove palm pollen has been dated to 70 million years ago.

The inflorescence can be tapped before it blooms, to yield a sweet, edible sap. Young shoots are also edible and the flower petals can be infused to make an aromatic tisane. Attap chee is the local name of the immature fruits—sweet white translucent gelatinous balls used as a dessert ingredient. On the islands of Roti and Savu, Nipah sap is fed to pigs during the dry season. This is said to impart a sweet flavour to the meat. The sap of the nipa palm is also collected to produce a local type of alcoholic beverage. The young leaves are used as cigarette skins.

It is considered an endangered species in Singapore. It grows in soft mud and slow moving water that brings in adequate nutrients. The palm can be found as far inland as the tide can deposit the floating seeds. It is common on coasts and rivers flowing into the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Bangladesh to the Pacific Islands. The plant will survive occasional short term drying of its environment.