Carpoxylon palm
Carpoxylon macrospermum
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A solitary feather-leafed palm. It has a prominent green crown-shaft. The stem has prominent rings. The trunk can be 18 m tall and 35 cm across. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves are long and feathery. The leaves arch over. The flowering stalk comes from below the crown-shaft. The fruit are 6 cm long by 3.5 cm wide. They are red. These have an edible kernel.
There is only one Carpoxylon species. It is an endangered species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in partial shade or full sun. It needs plenty of moisture. It is damaged by frost. It needs humus-rich soil. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, North America, Pacific, USA, Vanuatu
How it is used for food
The young, immature fruit are edible.
It is a cultivated plant.
Edible parts
Fruit, cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed take 3-6 months to germinate. Young plants require shade for the first few years.
Seedling growth is very rapid providing it has plenty of moisture.
Its other names
Local names
Bungool, Nibaglou, Nohoej