Kentia – another genus of palm and opsis – resemblance.

Solitary spineless and toothless palms. Flowers unisexual and sexes on the same plant. Leaves regularly feather-shaped, moderately to strongly arching. Crownshaft present, mostly about 1 m long. Leaflets in one plane or erect, midrib raised on upper surface and prominent on lower surface with 4-16 prominent lateral nerves. Fruit ellipsoid, red or purplish, 1 seeded.

Fresh seed which can be erratic to germinate.

Tall palm with a slender trunk; prominent crownshaft; dark green feather-shaped leaves; an inflorescence that resembles a straw broom.

4 species in New Caledonia on Grand Terre.

Hodel & Pintaud (1998), Pintaud & Hodel (1998).

Source: Jones, D; Spencer, R. (2005). Arecaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 5. Flowering plants. Monocotyledons. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.