Palmiste
Deckenia nobilis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A tall palm. It has a slender trunk which may be 35 m tall. The crown is dark green. The leaves have leaflets along the stalk and the leaflets are slender. Each one has a pointed tip and is hairy underneath. The sheathing bases and leaf stalks are prickly. The fruit are oval and dark purple to black when ripe.
There is only one Deckenia species. It is an at risk plant.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It is very cold sensitive. It needs very good drainage. It grows in rainforest and hills and slopes. It can grow from sea level to 660 m altitude. It suits hardiness zone 10b. In Townsville palmetum.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Seychelles
How it is used for food
Caution: It is an at risk plant so should not be harvested from the wild.
Edible parts
Cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
It can be grown from seeds.
It is slow growing.