Cairns Fan Palm, Dwarf Fan Palm, Cape York fan palm
Livistona muelleri
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A fan palm. It is a sturdy palm. It grows to 12-20 m high. It is often smaller. The trunk is 25 cm across. The trunk has rings of old leaf base scars. The crown is dense. The leaves are stiff and dark green. The leaf stalks are 1 m long. The leaves are circular and flat. The flowers are dull yellow on a dense flower arrangement that is in the centre of the crown. The fruit are oval and 1.5 cm long. They are deep brown to black.
There are 28 Livistona species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in open forest in NE Queensland in Australia. It suits tropical and subtropical locations. It requires an open position and well drained soil. It grows in monsoonal savannah. In Cairns Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea (country/location of origin), SE Asia
How it is used for food
The palm heart has been recorded as edible. It would not be normal to use this as it would kill the palm.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 4-8 months to germinate.
It is very slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Palem kipas mini