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Kerriodoxa elegans
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Ching Lang Kao, Tang Lang Kao, White Elephant Palm, King Thai Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Thailand |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A spectacular, solitary, unarmed, often gregarious (growing near together or clustered, but not in close tufts), small to medium-sized, understorey palm with beautiful large circular fronds that are glossy green above and whitish beneath. |
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| Trunk | Stem closely ringed, about 20 cm in diameter, grey (but very often covered with old, persistent leaf sheathes). |
| Foliage | Fronds palmate, almost orbicular, large, up to 2 m across, spreading, stiff, dark green and glossy above and chalky white beneath, slightly divided, with tips slightly drooping; petiole up to 2 m long, almost black. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Flower: Inflorescences interfoliar (arising from among the fronds), branched, cream. Fruit: Fruits depressed-globose, yellowish-orange, 4 to 5 cm long, one or two-seeded. |
| Cultivation | Prefers shaded, humid locations with filtered light on rich, moist, well-drained soils. Strong sun may scorch shade-loving fronds. Propagate by seeds, which germinate in 2 to 4 months with bottom heat. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet 'Kerriodoxa' is a combination of 'Kerr', named after Arthur Kerr, who originally collected this plant in Thailand, and the Greek 'doxa', glory. Its species epithet means elegant, in reference to the palm's appearance. |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Silver / Grey |
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| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Fan / Costapalmate) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Cream / Off-White |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Yellow / Golden |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1342 |
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| Species ID | 2635 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |