Miririb, Mataranka fan palm
Livistona rigida

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A hardy palm. Plants can grow to 20 m high. The trunk is 30-40 cm wide. It is dark grey and has prominent ridges. The crown is loose and rounded. The fronds are 3-4 m long. The leaves are blue-green to greyish green. The leaf blade is deeply divided into slender segments. Young fronds are reddish. The flowering panicles are 1 m long. The flowers are 0.2 cm across. They are cream. The fruit is fleshy with a hard stone inside. It is 1.5-2 cm across and black.

There are 28 Livistona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows naturally along stream banks in Northern Australia. It is a tropical plant. Plants can grow in heavy clay soils. They can tolerate sun from a young age. It can grow in warm temperate places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Growing tip, cabbage, roots

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed need to be planted while fresh. Seeds germinate in 1-3 months.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Lawn Hill fan palm

Synonyms

Livistona mariae subsp. rigida (Becc.) Rodd;