Pinanga subterranea is a unique species in the palm family Arecaceae, known for its remarkable ability to flower and fruit entirely underground, a rarity among plants
This species was discovered in the Lanjak Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary on the island of Borneo and independently found in West Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
Local Indigenous communities in Borneo were familiar with this palm, utilizing its fruit as a food source, which highlights the significance of including Indigenous knowledge in scientific research
The underground flowering and fruiting of P. subterranea represent two phenomena known as geoflory and geocarpy. While underground fruiting is observed in various plants like peanuts, the combination of both traits is extremely rare
The underground lifestyle of this palm poses questions about its pollination mechanism and seed dispersal, with wild boars potentially playing a role in dispersing the seeds through their dung
The majority of flowering plants develop their reproductive parts above ground, making P. subterranea a significant anomaly in the palm family, which generally features above-ground flowering and fruiting
To classify P. subterranea as a new species, careful comparison with other species in the Pinanga genus was required due to the high diversity of palm species in Borneo
The underground development of flowers and fruits is thought to offer protection from surface predators, a possible evolutionary advantage for this palm
Initially overlooked due to its resemblance to common palm seedlings, P. subterranea's discovery underscores the complexity and challenges in recognizing and researching unique plant species
The discovery of P. subterranea adds to the rich biodiversity of Borneo and contributes to our understanding of the diverse survival strategies of plants in different environments