Fine-leafed Fan Palm, Wispy Fan Palm
Livistona inermis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A slender palm with a single stem. It grows 5-8 m tall. The trunk is 10 cm across. The leaves are fan shaped. They are 45-60 cm long. They are deeply divided for more than three quarters of their length. These lobes are fine and pointed. They are 0.5-1 cm wide. The stalk is 40-70 cm long with thorns along the edge. The flowers are very small and cream. They are about 0.3 cm across. Many occur on slender branching flower stalks. These stalks are 40-70 cm long. They are produced within the crown. The fruit are smooth and oval. They are about 1-1.5 cm long by 0.6-1 cm wide. They have thin flesh and a single seed.
There are 28 Livistona species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in sandstone country often on stony ridges. It grows naturally in the northern parts of the Northern Territory in Australia. It needs a very free-draining soil and a sunny location.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia
How it is used for food
The young growing shoot can be eaten raw or cooked. The core of the stem can be used to make a drink.
Edible parts
Growing tip, fruit, cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Germination can take 6 months or more. Seed are slow and sporadic to germinate.
Plants are slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Palem kipas wispi