Pholidocarpus kingianus

Pholidocarpus (foh-LEE-doh-kar-puhs) kingianus (keen-jee-AHN-uhs)
Photo-Black Diamond images
Scientific Classification
Genus: Pholidocarpus (foh-LEE-doh-kar-puhs) Species: kingianus (keen-jee-AHN-uhs)
Synonyms
None set.
Native Continent
Asia
Morphology
Habit: Clustering Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
None.

Habitat and Distribution

Malaysia. (Peninsular Malaysia); Singapore.

Photo-Malaysian Biological Diversity

Culture

Cold Hardiness Zone: 10b

Comments and Curiosities

This palm is native to Malaysia, and is closely related to Livistona.

"Pholidocarpus really loves the water. They grow in swamp area in South Thailand and Malaysia. Some people even grow them in water and they do fine. No idea about cold hardiness though. In their habitat, the temparature doesn't go below 15 celcius." (Chalermchart Soorangura)

Etymology: Genus Name; Comes from 2 Greek words meaning 'scale' and 'fruit'.

Conservation: IUCN RedList - Vulnerable - This palm tree is threatened by rapid habitat conversion for agriculture and urbanisation. Restricted to swamp forest. 1998.

This palm tree is threatened by rapid habitat conversion for agriculture and urbanisation. Status; vulnerable. An impressive palm from swampy tropical lowland forests on the Malay Peninsula with a thick trunk to 30 m (100 ft.) tall that carries a massive crown of large fan leaves on long, well-armed leafstalks. Pholidocarpus is closely related to Livistona but easily distinguished by its large, scaly seeds. In cultivation it is rare but not difficult and will do best in the tropics. {RPS.com) Editing by edric.

Widespread in swampy lowland forest. P. kingianus occasionally found growing together with P. macrocarpus and often indistinguishable.