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News about palms
New palm discovery on Madagascar
The discovery of a new palm species on Madagascar is making botanical news. The rare and spectacular flowering event which betrayed its exisistence ultimately kills the tree. Read more from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (UK): New Genus of Self-destructive Palm found in Madagascar and the Human Flower Project: Diversity: Madagascar v. NYC. January 2008
New palm genus discovered
An expedition to the Wondiwoi Mountains of Indonesian New Guinea has revealed to science a new palm genus, Dransfieldia. More information from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew here:
New Palm Genus Discovered in Remote Forests of New Guinea (March 2006)
Palms provide evolutionary model
The widely cultivated Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana) and another palm from Lord Howe island, the closely related H. belmoreana, have provided an interesting model for biologists investigating how two species could diverge from a common ancestor without geographic separation. Different flowering times appears to be involved in the process. More information from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew here: New Case Study Contributes to Thinking on Origin of Species (February 2006)
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Some common landscaping palms
Below are some species commonly encountered in SE Qld landscapes with links to futher resources, to help new gardeners in the region.
Golden Cane Palm
Dypsis lutescens = Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Dypsis lutescens Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Plant Profiles, University of Hawai`i at Manoa (PDF)
Alexandra Palm
Archontophoenix alexandrae
Other names: Alex palms, Alexander palm
Tropical Topics Newsletter, Environmental Protection Agency, Queensland Government (includes Alexandra palm, Archontophoenix alexandrae)
Bangalow Palm
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Foxtail Palm
Wodyetia bifurcata
Meet the Plants Pacific flora database of the National Tropical Botanical Garden, USA. Select Wodyetia bifurcata from the "Choose A Plant" menu
Wodyetia bifurcata (Foxtail Palm) Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Plant Profiles
Department of Botany. University of Hawai`i at Manoa (PDF)
Pygmy Date Palm
Phoenix roebelinii
Canary Island Date Palm
Phoenix canariensis
Cuban Royal Palm
Roystonea regia
Other names: Royal palm
Triangle Palm
Dypsis decaryi
Bismark Palm
Bismarckia nobilis
Not exactly common yet, but when you see one you'll want to know "what's that palm?".
Fairchild Guide to Palms: Bismarckia and Bismarckia images Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, Florida
Bismarckia nobilis Harold L. Lyon Arboretum Plant Profiles, University of Hawai`i at Manoa (PDF)
Cocos Palm
Syagrus romanzoffianum
Do not plant! This species is now thoroughly out of favour due to its messy and weedy character. The following links have been included for recognition purposes. You'll still see plenty around the region, especially in older gardens (or popping up as weeds in your yard).
Queen palm ( Arecastrum romanzoffianum) Dendrology at Virginia Tech
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More Links
The following links are for general information - some species or cultivars referred to in these websites may be might not be unavailable in Australia
Montgomery Botanical Center, Florida. Specializing in scientific collections of palms and cycads. Enthusiasts should check the newsletter archive
Tropical Palms Non-wood forest products 10, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Discusses uses of various palm products around the world
Planting and culture
Archontophoenix
Chamaedorea
Hyophorbe
Latania
Licuala
Licuala ramsayi Australian or Mission Beach fan palm. James Cook University, Qld
Livistona
Livistona decora (= L. decipiens) Weeping cabbage palm. James Cook University, Qld
Redleaf Palm, New Caledonian Bloodleaf Palm
Phoenix
Rhapis
Dypsis
Others
Trachycarpus fortunei UBC Botanical Garden and Centre for Plant Research, University of British Columbia, Canada
Sabal palmetto Silvics of North America, United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service
Sabal etonia, Scrub Palmetto, University of Florida USA (PDF)
Sabal minor, Dwarf Palmetto, Bluestem Palmetto, University of Florida USA (PDF)
albarkema's photos Lots of photos of palms, especially Butia and hybrids. Photographer is apparently based in Southern Brazil
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