Cut-leaved palm, Hydriastele Palm, Australian Hydriastele, Feather palm, Florence Falls palm, Latrum palm, Creek palm, Cat-o-nine tails
Hydriastele wendlandiana

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A slender palm which grows in clumps. It is 10-15 m high and the trunk is 6-12 cm across. The leaves are smooth slightly curved fronds. They are 1-1.5 m long. These are divided into unequally spaced dark green leaflets. These are 20-50 cm long by 2.5-10 cm wide. Some leaflets are broader and the ones near the tip are united. The flowers are small and dark cream. They are about 0.8 cm across. They occur on drooping flowers stalks 20-35 cm long. This hangs below the crown. The fruit are smooth, oval and about 0.5-0.8 cm across. They become red when ripe. There is thin flesh around a hard seed.

There are 9 Hydriastele species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally in dense forest near streams. It does best in deep soils with ample moisture. Young plants need protection from direct sunlight. They can tolerate dark positions when young. They are very sensitive to cold. They are killed by frost or cold snaps. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The young central growing tip is eaten raw. The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Growing tip, fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed can take 3-12 months to germinate. Plants benefit by mulch. Seedlings transplant easily. They can also be grown from suckers which split off easily.

Plants are slow growing when small.

Its other names

Local names

Palem florensia, Paliwuni

Synonyms

Hydriastele douglasiana F. M. Bailey; Kentia wendlandiana F. Muell.;