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Ptychosperma macarthurii
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Synonyms: | Kentia macarthurii, Acanthophoenix macarthurii |
| Common Name: | MacArthur Palm, Hurricane Palm, Macarthur Feather Palm, Cluster Palm |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
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| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Cluster Palm) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 6 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia, New Guinea |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A densely-clumping, medium to tall, fast-growing palm that possesses slender, grey trunks topped with a dense, attractive, crown of arching, feathery fronds that are dark green on top and paler green beneath. |
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| Trunk | Trunk slender, grey, prominently ringed with old leaf scars; crownshaft short, unarmed, light green. |
| Foliage | Fronds pinnate (feather-shaped), medium to dark green above and paler green beneath, about 1.5 m long; leaflets linear-shaped, up to 30 cm long, with jagged tips that are seemingly torn or cut-off. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Flower: Inflorescences multi-branched, cream, about 0.6 m long, emerging from below the crownshaft. Fruit: Fruits globose, about 1.3 cm long, ripening from green to bright red, single-seeded; seeds grooved, pointed at both ends. |
| Cultivation | Adept to a wide range of growth conditions but best grown under strong sun or partial sun. Ground-planted specimens under strong, bright light will grow large and vigorous whilst container-grown specimens in shade will be slow-growing and smaller. It prefers moist, well-draining soils that are rich and high in organic matter and nutrients (plant responds strongly to the application of nitrogenous fertilisers). Though drought tolerant, it is best to water regularly, especially during dry spells. It is generally free from serious pests or diseases. Propagate by division or by seeds. Seeds germinate easily within 3 months. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet 'Ptychosperma' comes from the Greek 'ptychos', 'wrinkled' or 'folded', and 'sperma', 'seed', in reference to its grooved seeds. The species epithet is honoured after Sir W. MacArthur (1800 - 1882) of New South Wales, who was one of the most active and influential horticulturists in Australia in the mid-to-late 19th century. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
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| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
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| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Palm - Cluster) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Clustering 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) | Red |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1380 |
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| Species ID | 2673 |
| 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. |