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Livistona decora

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Livistona decora (W.Bull) Dowe

Family Name: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms: Corypha decora W.Bull, Livistona decipiens Becc., Livistona decipiens var. polyantha Becc. Livistona enervis Anon.
Common Name: Weeping Cabbage Palm, Ribbon Fan Palm, Cabbage Palm

Livistona decora , also known as Weeping Cabbage Palm, is a solitary palm that can reach up to 18 m tall. The petiole stubs frequently persist on the base of the stem even after the leaves fall off. It is a host plant for Yellow palm-dart and Orange palm-dart butterflies.

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Name Authority
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments
Species Summary

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants)
Plant Growth Form Palm
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Fountain (Palm-like)
Maximum Height 18 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Australia
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Coastal Forest, Riverine)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
Local Conservation Status Non-native

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a palm that can reach up to 18 m tall and has a solitary growth habit. Petiole stubs remain on the stem even after the leaves fall off. These stubs frequently persistent on the base of the stem. The stem is ringed with narrow leaf scars.
Foliage Leaves are fan-shaped (costapalmate), about 1.2 – 1.85 m long, and deeply divided for 82 – 88% of the length. Leaves are regularly segmented and can have 70 – 84 segments each. The tip of the segment is pendulous. The petiole can reach up to 2.8 m long and is armed with curved black spines (about 1 cm long) along the margin. Coarse fibers are present at the base of the petiole.
Flowers Inflorescence occurs between the leaves (interfoliar) and can reach 1 – 3.5 m long. It comprises of many small yellow flowers. Flower is funnel-shaped (1.5 – 2 mm long) with fleshy petals and membranous sepals.
Fruit Fruit is round (about 1.2 – 1.4 cm diameter) with scattered lenticellular pores and suture line. It turns shiny black when mature. Each fruit contains 1 seed within.
Habitat It is found in coastal forest or near coastal areas, up to 550 m altitude.
Similar L. decora looks similar to L. australis except that L. decora has deeply segmented leaves and pendulous segment tips.
Associated Fauna Flowers are pollinated by insects. It is also a host plant for Yellow palm-dart and Orange palm-dart butterflies.
Cultivation It can be propagated by seed.
Ethnobotanical Uses Others: The aborigines of Australia are reported to consume the young growing tip pf the palm raw or roasted. The leaves are used to make baskets, ornamental bracelets and neckbands.

Landscaping Features

Landscaping It is drought tolerant when established but does not tolerate waterlogged condition.
Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses General, Suitable for Roadsides
Usage Hazard - Cons Spines/Thorns - Leaf
Usage Hazard - Cons Remarks Petioles are armed with short spines.
Plant & Rootzone Preference or Tolerance Remarks It does not tolerate waterlogged soils.

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna Butterfly Host Plant
Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant
Maintenance Requirements Moderate
Propagation Method Seed

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Glossy / Shiny
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Shape(s) Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate)
Typical Foliar Area Megaphyll (>1640.25cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 2.5 (Palm - Solitary)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Non Woody
Trunk Type (Palm) Solitary Habit, Aboveground
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Yellow / Golden
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Black
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Fleshy Fruit

References

References Anderson, E. (2016). Plants of Central Queensland: Identification and Uses of Native and Introduced Species, pp. 1–580. Victoria: CSIRO Publishing
Dowe, J.L. (2009). A taxonomic account of Livistona R.Br. (Arecaceae). Gardens' Bulletin Singapore 60: 185-344.

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Master ID 1357
Species ID 2650
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 24 August 2023.
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