Trunk to 20 m tall, whitish, sometimes slightly swollen around the middle. Young leaves whitish. Leaves to 1.5-3 m long, erect to arching, in a large crown, bright green to yellowish. Leaf stalks and midrib with white scales, the stalks to about 20 cm long. Leaflets regular, in one plane, about 70 per side, narrow, numerous, crowded, the tips linked when young. Fruit about 8 mm long, round, bright red.

Madagascar

Has become widely planted in recent years and will succeed in warm temperate zones. Often sold in chain stores. Easily grown but requires high fertilizer levels to maintain good colour. Satisfactory indoors.

Grows naturally in wet situations; quick growing.

NSW: Sydney (Royal Botanic Garden Sydney).

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.