Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Archontophoenix (ahr-kohn-toh-FEH-niks) cunninghamiana (kuhn-ning-ham'-ee-ahn-ah) | ||||||||
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![]() Above the town of Urbenville, NSW, Australia. Photo by Daryl O'Connor. | ||||||||
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Contents
Habitat and distribution
The Bangalow palm from Australia is mostly found in tropical to subtropical areas. It is popular as an ornamental palm for its evergreen foliage and bright red fruit.Description
The Bangalow palm is a large-sized palm generally reaching 20-25 meters in height. It small red fruit is inedible. Propagation is by seed.
Culture
Tropical in nature, the Bangalow palm comes from warm humid forests. Due to this, it can not tolerate heavy frost. On the other hand, and unfortunately, the Bangalow palm has become a noxious weed in many areas where it has been used as an ornamental palm. In Southern Brazil, it has become an invasive species, profiting from the local extinction of the endangered native palm Euterpe edulis. In New Zealand, there is concern that A. cunninghamiana could invade native forests, since it has the same ecological requirements as the native nikau palm. The Auckland Regional Council has included A. cunninghamiana on a list of plants requiring further research on their potential to adversely affect the environment.

Comments and Curiosities
The name bangalow is aboriginal for "water carrying basket". The crownshaft can be fashioned, with a few deft folds and tucks, into a watertight vessel, the petiole used as the handle. (Image below).
- IMAGE GALLERY
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. About 15-20% of the palms though are under constant decimation from a colony of flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus). These bats first damage the crowns then with their ever present guano droppings, seem to be over mineralising the palms themselves until they start folding over. This is my theory only and is ready for a better scientific explanantion. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Walter John Donovan.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Walter John Donovan.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Look at this one growing after a fall of some sort. Photographed in three sections. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Look at this one growing after a fall of some sort. Photographed in three sections. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Look at this one growing after a fall of some sort. Photographed in three sections. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Finally a look at some juveniles. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Finally a look at some juveniles. Photo by Wal.
The Palms National Park - Cooyar. Situated about 7 kilometres from the township of Cooyar, a town about 1.5 hr drive north of Toowoomba. Moving about 50 metres east and they are nowhere to be seen and the palms are looking terrific. Magical..It was around this spot that I began noticing spring waters emerging from the hillside, so that is their secret. Finally a look at some juveniles. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Some bangas with tree ferns for company. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Growing at the base of a very large and old Moreton Bay Fig. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Wal giving scale. Photo by Wal.
Return to Cooyar - Secret Bangalow Forests. About 7 klicks nth of the Northern Darling Downs town of Cooyar, is Palms National Park. This park is home to an extraordinary stand of palm trees and other magical rainforest plants like fig trees, fabulous gum trees and other plants not normally seen in this climate. The reason is this, a never ending supply of underground natural spring water and a hillside locking in a micro climate that suits the ubiquitous bangalow or piccabeen palm. Photo by Wal.
External Links
- Glossary of Palm Terms
- MODERN BOTANICAL LATIN
- "Just To Be Clear"
- http://www.junglemusic.net/King_Palm.html
- http://itp.lucidcentral.org/id/palms/palm-id/Archontophoenix_cunninghamiana.htm
- Click on Arecaceae, for list of photos
- http://keys.trin.org.au/key-server/data/0e0f0504-0103-430d-8004-060d07080d04/media/Html/taxon/Archontophoenix_cunninghamiana.htm
- Australian Palms, By John Leslie Dowe
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.