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