Weeping Cabbage palm, Ribbon Fan Palm
Livistona decora

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A palm. The trunk is slender and grey. It can be 20 m tall. The trunk can be 40 cm across. It is light grey to whitish. The crown is rounded. The leaf stalk extends into the leaf blade. The leaf stalk is 2.5-3 m long and 5-6 cm across at the base. The leaves are large and yellowish-green. The leaf blade is 1-1.5 m long. They are finely divided. They are fan shaped with drooping tips. The flowers are bright yellow. They occur in clusters in the centre of the crown. The flowering stalks are 1 m long. The flowers are 0.2 cm across. The fruit are 1 cm across. They are blue-black when ripe.

There are 28 Livistona species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions. It needs a well-drained but moist soil. Young plants respond to applications of fertiliser. It grows in coastal regions. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The growing tip or "cabbage" can be eaten, but as this kills the palm it is not normally useful.

Edible parts

Cabbage, palm heart

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed. Seed germinate in 3-4 months.

Its other names

Local names

Biri mindtha bugga yumba, Palem kipas pita

Synonyms

Corypha decora W. Bull; Livistona decipiens Becc.; Livistona decipiens var. polyantha Becc.;