Licuala ramsayi

Licuala ramsayi
Licuala ramsayi near Mission Beach, Queensland
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Subfamily: Coryphoideae
Tribe: Corypheae
Genus: Licuala
Species: L. ramsayi
Binomial name
Licuala ramsayi
F. Muell.

Licuala ramsayi is a species of plant in the Arecaceae family; its common name is the Queensland or Australian Fan Palm.[1]

Description

Distinctive palm with a single trunk to 15m height and large pleated leaves forming circles up to 2m in diameter. Petioles have formidable spines to 5mm long.

Distribution and habitat

Occurs in swamps, riverbanks, and rainforests in Australia from the Cape York Peninsula to the Paluma Range north of Townsville. One of the most cold-tolerant Licuala species and the only one native to Australia.

Ecology

Trees provided an edible cabbage to Aboriginals, as well as thatch, food wrapping, and cigarette papers (from young leaves)[2]

Licuala Walking Track near Wongaling Beach, QLD

References

  1. Cooper, Wendy. "Australian Rainforest Fruits" (2013): 84.
  2. Beasly, John. "Plants of Tropical North Queensland" (2006): 35.



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