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Ptychosperma macarthurii

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Ptychosperma macarthurii

Family Name: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Synonyms: Kentia macarthurii, Acanthophoenix macarthurii
Common Name: MacArthur Palm, Hurricane Palm, Macarthur Feather Palm, Cluster Palm

Name

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

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Palm (Clustered Habit)
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 6 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Australia, New Guinea

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form A densely-clumping, medium to tall, fast-growing palm that possesses slender, grey trunks topped with a dense, attractive, crown of arching, feathery fronds that are dark green on top and paler green beneath.
Trunk Trunk slender, grey, prominently ringed with old leaf scars; crownshaft short, unarmed, light green.
Foliage Fronds pinnate (feather-shaped), medium to dark green above and paler green beneath, about 1.5 m long; leaflets linear-shaped, up to 30 cm long, with jagged tips that are seemingly torn or cut-off.
Others - Plant Morphology Flower: Inflorescences multi-branched, cream, about 0.6 m long, emerging from below the crownshaft. Fruit: Fruits globose, about 1.3 cm long, ripening from green to bright red, single-seeded; seeds grooved, pointed at both ends.
Cultivation Adept to a wide range of growth conditions but best grown under strong sun or partial sun. Ground-planted specimens under strong, bright light will grow large and vigorous whilst container-grown specimens in shade will be slow-growing and smaller. It prefers moist, well-draining soils that are rich and high in organic matter and nutrients (plant responds strongly to the application of nitrogenous fertilisers). Though drought tolerant, it is best to water regularly, especially during dry spells. It is generally free from serious pests or diseases. Propagate by division or by seeds. Seeds germinate easily within 3 months.
Etymology The genus epithet 'Ptychosperma' comes from the Greek 'ptychos', 'wrinkled' or 'folded', and 'sperma', 'seed', in reference to its grooved seeds. The species epithet is honoured after Sir W. MacArthur (1800 - 1882) of New South Wales, who was one of the most active and influential horticulturists in Australia in the mid-to-late 19th century.

Landscaping Features

Landscape Uses Suitable for Roadsides

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 4.0 (Palm - Cluster)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Palm) Clustering Habit, Aboveground

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower Colour(s) Cream / Off-White

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Red

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1380
Species ID 2673
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: 10 December 2021.
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