Livistona australis (R.Br.) Mart.
Large palm with an erect, robust trunk and long, spiny leaf stalks supporting longer, fan-like leaves. From spring to summer long panicles of cream flowers are produced, followed by brownish red to black fruit. To 25m. [RHSE, Hortus, FNSW, Beadle].
Horticultural & Botanical History
Introduced to Britain in 1824. [JD]. ‘This graceful palm was for many years one of the greatest ornaments of the Palm House at Kew, rearing its massive head of bright green foliage supported on a rich brown caudex, high above all the other palms except Cocos plumosa and Caryota urens. During the present year having reached the roof on the west side of the centre, it was felled and replaced by a Phoenix dactylifera which will take years to assume the same proportions, and never rival it in beauty. Livistona australis is the most southern palm of the Australian continent, reaching the snowy range in lat. 370 30’ S. when its trunk attains 80 ft. in height, and extending thence along the west coast to the Illawarra River, in lat. 340 45’ S. It flowered annually at Kew, in the spring months, for many years.’ [BM t.6274/1877].
History at Camden Park
Listed in all published catalogues [T.348/1843]. Probably obtained locally. Macarthur supplied Loddiges’ Nursery with plants on 1st February 1849 and probably on other occasions. [A2933-1, p.185]. There are a number of mature specimens in the gardens.
Notes
Published Mar 06, 2009 - 02:34 PM | Last updated Jul 14, 2010 - 02:42 PM
Family | Arecaceae |
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Category | |
Region of origin | Eastern Australia |
Synonyms |
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Common Name | Australian fan palm, Cabbage palm |
Name in the Camden Park Record | Corypha Australis - Australian Cabbage Palm |
Confidence level | high |