Fan Palm, Wedge leaflet Fan Palm, Mission Beach Fan Palm, Queensland fan Palm
Licuala ramsayi

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A slender palm. The trunk can be 18 m tall. The trunk can be 10-20 cm across. The leaves of young plants have a few widely spaced segments. In mature plants the leaves are almost circular with crowded segments. The leaf blades may be 2 m across. The leaf stalk is 1.5-2 m long by 3-4 cm wide. They are slender and arching and spiny at the base. The flowers occur on panicles which hang down from among the leaves. The flowers are white. The fruit are brilliant orange-red. They are 1 cm across.

There are 108 Licuala species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They grow best in the tropics. It normally grows in rainforest along stream banks. It can tolerate flooding and swampy areas. They need warm shady positions with plenty of moisture. It suits warm humid places. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 640 m altitude. In Cairns Botanical Gardens. Melbourne Botanical gardens hothouse. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Townsville palmetum.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The cabbage like central core of the trunk is eaten.

Edible parts

Cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed. Seed germinate erratically over 6-12 months. Seedlings transplant fairly easily.

They are slow growing.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Licuala jeanneneyi Andre; Licuala muelleri H. Wendl. & Drude.; Livistona ramsayi F. Muell.; Pericycla muelleri (H. Wendl. & Drude) Drude ex Salomon;