Desert Cabbage Palm, Central Australian Cabbage Palm
Livistona mariae
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A tall straight palm. Plants grow to about 20 m high. The trunk is 30 cm across. The trunk has rings and is pale grey. The base is swollen just above the ground. The crown in rounded. The leaves are finely divided and shiny green. They can be paler green and with a wax layer underneath. They are erect and spreading but can droop. They are divided for about half their length then divided again into finely pointed lobes which droop. Young plants have reddish leaves. The leaves are 2 m long and spiny on the edge near the base. The leaves are thick textured and heavily ribbed. The flowering stalk is long, erect and stout. They have tight bracts. The flowers are cream. The fruit are glossy black. They are round and 15-20 mm across.
There are 28 Livistona species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It occurs naturally near the Finke River in Central Australia. It grows in a moist situation surrounded by a hostile arid environment. It does best in tropical and subtropical locations. It can grow in inland areas with dry warm climate. It needs well drained soil. Plants can withstand full sun when small. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. Seed germinate erratically over 4-6 months.
Its other names
Local names
Palem kol australia