Trunk to 6 m tall and 15 cm wide, grey, ringed. Crownshaft bulging. Leaves to 3 m long, stiffly erect, in a crown shaped like a shaving brush, dark green. Leaflets pointing upwards. Panicles about 50 cm long, stiffly branched. Fruit about 2 cm long, ellipsoid, red.

New Zealand

Once more popular than at present. Often seen in large old gardens. Used extensively for various purposes by the Maoris.

Easily recognised by its stiffly erect leaves in a crown shaped like a shaving brush or shuttlecock.

Vic: Geelong (Geelong Botanic Gardens); Melbourne (Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (Melbourne Gardens)), Elsternwick ('Ripponlea').

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.