Sand Palm, Emu tucker palm
Livistona humilis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A slender palm with a single stem. It grows 2-5 m high. The trunk is about 8-12 cm across. The trunk is often black. The leaves are like a fan. They are stiff and smooth. The blade is 30-50 cm long. It is deeply divided to about half way into narrow pointed lobes. The stalk is about 40-70 cm long. There are short sharp prickles along the edge. The flowers are very small and cream. They are 0.3 cm across. They occur on a branched flower stalk which arches over. The flowering stalk is 1-2 m long and is produced above the crown. The fruit are smooth and oval. They are 1-1.5 cm long. The become purplish-black when ripe. They have thin flesh and contain a single seed. The fruit are edible.
There are 28 Livistona species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in open forest. It is mostly on sandy soils. It is a tropical plant. It can tolerate fire. It grows naturally in tropical part of the Northern Territory in Australia. Seedlings can withstand sun. It suits hardiness zones 10-11.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The young central growing tip is eaten raw. The fruit are eaten. The pithy core of the stem is pounded and made into a drink.
Edible parts
Fruit, cabbage, palm heart
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. Germination takes 6 months or more. Plants are not easy to transplant especially once they become large.
Seedlings are very slow growing.
Its other names
Local names
Bulgay, Merreppem, Miparri, Miparriyi, Pakijipiyi