Archontophoenix alexandrae

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Archontophoenix
(ahr-kohn-toh-FEH-niks)
alexandrae (ah-lehk-ZAHN-dreh)
MonkhouseArchontophoenix alexandrae57 02.jpg
River bank with A. alexandrae, background, with leaf in foreground; Xanthostemon chrysanthus (golden penda), trunk leaning left. Monkhouse Timber Reserve, Queensland, Australia.
Scientific Classification
Genus: Archontophoenix
(ahr-kohn-toh-FEH-niks)
Species:
alexandrae (ah-lehk-ZAHN-dreh)
Synonyms
Ptychosperma alexandrae
Native Continent
Oceania
Oceania.gif
Morphology
Habit: Solitary
Leaf type: Pinnate
Height: 80 ft/25m
Trunk diameter: 12 in./30 cm
Culture
Sun exposure: Full sun
Survivability index
Common names
Alexander palm, Alexandra palm, King palm, Nothern Bangalow Palm.

Habitat and Distribution

Archontophoenix alexandrae is found in Central to northern Queensland coastal rainforest, Australia.
Forest & Kim Starr, Keanae Arboretum, Maui.

Description

"Trunk gray, up to about 30 m tall. Leaves, about 10 in the crown, up to 2.5 m long, pinnae about 80 on each side, up to 80 cm long and 5 cm wide, whitish or ash-colored on lower surface, sheath green. Inflorescences up to 70 cm long, with pendulous rachillae to the fourth order; staminate flowers white or cream, 5-6 mm long, stamens 9-16. Fruit red, 1-1.4 cm long, 0.8-1.1 cm in diameter" "This tall, single-trunked palm can be recognized by its lime green crownshaft; leaflets that are pointed at the tip and ashy below; and white inflorescences that branch 3 (-4) times, the long tips hanging straight down, bearing round, pea-sized, red fruits"

Culture

PFC for PP.png

In Hawai‘i, "commonly cultivated and now naturalized in low elevation mesic valleys"

These palms can be grown in full sun (if they are kept watered), or in the shade. They do like more water than most palms, with some even thriving in poorly drained areas. It is quite a fast grower, averaging about 1/3 - 1 metre (1-3 feet) per year. extremely popular palms in Australia, where thay can be found as far south as Sydney (in sheltered pockets). While being very attractive individuals, it becoming quite common now to plant them in clusters and close groupings. Propagation: Seed, probably spread by birds.

Comments and Curiosities



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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