Difference between revisions of "Archontophoenix purpurea"

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|image_caption=Mt Warning Caldera.. Nth NSW Australia. Photo by Pete, edric.
 
|image_caption=Mt Warning Caldera.. Nth NSW Australia. Photo by Pete, edric.
|genus=Archontophoenix <br>(ahr-kohn-toh-FEH-nix)
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|genus=Archontophoenix <br>(ahr-kohn-toh-PEH-niks)
 
|species=<br>purpurea (puhr-puhr-EH-ah)
 
|species=<br>purpurea (puhr-puhr-EH-ah)
 
|continent=oceania
 
|continent=oceania

Revision as of 09:07, 16 June 2014

Archontophoenix
(ahr-kohn-toh-PEH-niks)
purpurea (puhr-puhr-EH-ah)
ApDSCN0359 3z.jpg
Mt Warning Caldera.. Nth NSW Australia. Photo by Pete, edric.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Archontophoenix
(ahr-kohn-toh-PEH-niks)
Species:
purpurea (puhr-puhr-EH-ah)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Oceania
Oceania.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Height: 60 ft/18m
Trunk diameter: 18 in./45cm
Culture
Sun exposure: Full sun
Survivability index
Common names
Purple King Palm, Mount Lewis Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Archontophoenix purpurea is endemic to northern Queensland, Australia where it grows in swamps and rain-forests to 1200 m in elevation. In habitat, it grows in well-drained, humus-laden soils and tolerates periodic flooding.

Hawaii.

Description

Archontophoenix purpurea is a stunning relative of the more common King Palm (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana). Its common name, "Mount Lewis" is derived from the fact that its natural habitat is limited to the Mount Lewis area of northeast Queensland, Australia, where it grows in montane rainforests at up to 1200m/3900' above sea level.

The attractively ringed gray trunk grows to 25m/80' tall and up to 300mm/12" in diameter with a nice basal flare. The slightly recurved pinnate fronds have a fairly flat leaflet arrangement and grow to 4m/13' in length. Leaflets are anywhere from a bright mid green to dark green, varying with light exposure. The undersides of the leaves, like a King Palm, have small brown hairs, but unlike the King have a silvery underside . This species is easily distinguishable from other "Archies" by its long, purple, slightly bulbous crownshaft, which can be almost red immediately after an old leaf base has fallen or been removed. Editing by edric.

Culture

Comments and Curiosities

It is the slowest growing species in Archontophoenix.

External Links

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos.

Special thanks to Palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos.

Glossary of Palm Terms; Based on the glossary in Dransfield, J., N.W. Uhl, C.B. Asmussen-Lange, W.J. Baker, M.M. Harley & C.E. Lewis. 2008. Genera Palmarum - Evolution and Classification of the Palms. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. All images copyright of the artists and photographers (see images for credits).


Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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