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Bangalow Palm

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Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

Plant Number: 21

Common Name: Bangalow Palm, Piccabeen Palm

Scientific Name: Archontophoenix cunninghamiana

Derivation of name

Archontophoenix - from the Greek 'archon' or 'archontos' meaning 'ruler' in reference to its stately appearance and 'phoenix' in reference to the date palm

cunninghamiana - after Allan Cunningham, a British botanist who collected extensively in Australia and who sent some of the earliest specimens to The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

Description

  • Tree with solitary stem to 30 m
  • Prominent crownshaft and arching fronds to 4.5 m
  • Fronds dark glossy green on upper surface, lighter underneath
  • Pale purple flowers in panicles
  • Red fruit to 15 mm

Human uses

Indigenous Australians used the leaf bases to make baskets.  The sheaf of old leaves is recorded as being used to make Pikki's or containers.  The new shoots and young leaves were eaten raw or cooked.  

Acknowledgment: Mangroves to Mountains, Australian National Botanic Gardens, Bush Heritage

Photo Credit: John Forlonge

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Last reviewed 01 June 2020
Last updated 01 June 2020