Nikau palm, Nakau, Shaving-brush palm, Feather duster palm, Nika palm
Rhopalostylis sapida

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

An upright palm with bulging crown-shaft. It can be 8-12 m high. The trunk is 10 cm across. It is ringed with the scars of fallen leaves. The crown has 12-16 straight erect leaves. There is a crown-shaft 30 cm long. The leaves and leaflets are stiff and upright. This gives the palm a "feather duster" like appearance. The leaves are 1.5-2 m long. The midrib of the leaf is often slightly twisted. The flower stalk grows below the crown-shaft. It is 25-40 cm long. The flowers are purple to red. The fruit are bright red when ripe. They are 8-12 mm long and 7-8 mm wide.

There are 2-3 Rhopalostylis species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. They grow in moist forests in New Zealand. It grows naturally as far south as 44°S. It can only tolerate light frosts. They will grow in cool climates. It grows from the coast to 700 m altitude. Young palms need protection from the sun for the first 4-5 years. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Hobart Botanical Gardens.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia, Hawaii, New Caledonia, New Zealand (country/location of origin), Pacific, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The young unopened flower is cooked and eaten. The palm heart is eaten.

Edible parts

Cabbage, flowers, palm heart, fruit, sap

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. Seed can be slow to germinate.

Plants respond strongly to fertiliser. Plants are slow growing and do not form a trunk for 15 years. They do not flower for 30 years.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Areca sapida Sol. ex G. Forst.; Eora sapida (Sol. ex G. Forst.) O. F. Cook; Kentia sapida (Sol. ex G. Forst.) Mart.;