Pinanga Subterranea
A new species of palm plant is discovered by scientists which, in contradiction to other plants bear fruits and flowers underground. This plant named – Pinanga subterranea was discovered in Borneo. However, its survival is a mystery for scientists since all the plants grow their flowers and fruits above the soil to help in the pollination and dispersal of seeds. Plants reproduce in this way, but if the fruits and flowers are underground, pollination is not possible.
“Flowering and fruiting below ground is mind-boggling,” says scientist
“Pinanga subterranea is the only known species of palm to flower and fruit below ground,” said Dr. Benedikt Kuhnhäuser, a future leader fellow at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, who was part of the research team that collected specimens and ascertained that it was a new species. “Flowering and fruiting below ground is mind-boggling and seemingly paradoxical because they appear to prevent pollination and dispersal. We now know bearded pigs eat and disperse Pinanga subterrane’s fruits, but we’ve yet to find out how and by whom the flowers are pollinated.”
Only a very small number of plant species are developed to bear fruits and flowers underground. But in those cases as well both of them do not grow underground. Kuhnhäuser said that this plant is “incredibly rare”. Other than this palm plant – Pinanga subterranean, only the small underground Orchid Genus Rhizanthella grows fruits and flowers underground.
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Structure of the Palm Plant explained
Kuhnhäuser explained the production and reproduction process of plants. He said, “Pinanga subterranea has separate male and female flowers in little clusters.” He further explained, “So far, we’ve only seen the female flowers, which are greenish-white and inconspicuous. The fruit is pale white when young, but bright red when ripe and up to two centimeters in size.”
