Mostly clustering spineless and toothless palms. Trunks to about 3 m tall, dark green or yellowish, prominently ringed, to 10 cm thick. Crownshaft absent. Young leaves reddish. Leaves 6-8 per crown, feather-shaped, to 2.5 m long, arching. Leaf sheaths soon splitting opposite the petiole. Leaf stalks long, scaly. Leaflets about 40-50 per frond, dark green, pleated. Flowers unisexual, both sexes on the same plant, yellow. Inflorescence to 1.5 m long, simple. Fruit about 1 cm long, ovoid, bright red, in long spikes.

Queensland

Widespread in tropical rainforest of north-eastern Queensland.

Very popular for its moderate size, colourful new leaves, elegant appearance and long spikes of red fruit. Needs protection from frost but an excellent indoor plant.

NSW: Sydney (Royal Botanic Garden Sydney). Vic: Elsternwick ('Ripponlea'); Melbourne (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Melbourne Gardens)).

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.