Archontophoenix alexandrae
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "redirect hatnote". Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Template:Use Australian English Template:Speciesbox
Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as Alexandra palm, king palm, northern Bangalow palm, or feather palm,[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript[3]Template:R/superscript is a palm endemic to Queensland, Australia. It was named in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark,[4]Template:R/superscript but is often erroneously referred to by the misnomer Alexander palm.
Description
Archontophoenix alexandrae is a tall, solitary palm growing to a height of Script error: No such module "convert". with a trunk up to Script error: No such module "convert". diameter, often swollen at the base, and bearing prominent leaf scars.[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript The graceful crown has 8 to 10 pinnate, feather-like fronds that measure up to Script error: No such module "convert". in length, with 60 to 80 leaflets on each side of the midrib.[1]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript The pinnae are dark green above and silvery-grey underneath, measuring up to Script error: No such module "convert". long, and the entire frond is usually twisted laterally.[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript At the base of each frond is a large crownshaft up to Script error: No such module "convert". high, coloured light green.[1]Template:R/superscript
Flowers
_-_Infrutescencias_(14825717056).jpg){kind=link}
The inflorescence of Archontophoenix alexandrae is a panicle, creamy white when first released from the protective sheath or prophyll that it develops within, and transitioning through light green as the fruits develop and finally to brown when it is shed from the tree. It measures between Script error: No such module "convert". wide by Script error: No such module "convert". long, and arises from the base of the crownshaft.[1]Template:R/superscript[2]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript Flowering occurs randomly throughout the year,[4]Template:R/superscript and it is not uncommon to find a group of these palms, some of which carry fruit and/or flowers while others carry neither. Individual flowers are 3-petalled, creamy-white in colour and quite small—the staminate (functionally male) flowers measuring up to Script error: No such module "convert". wide and the pistillate (functionally female) flowers up to Script error: No such module "convert"..[1]Template:R/superscript
Fruit
The fruits are ovoid to globose with a persistent calyx. They are initially green turning bright red when ripe. They measure around Script error: No such module "convert". in diameter and contain a single seed about Script error: No such module "convert". diameter.[1]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Ptychosperma alexandrae by Ferdinand von Mueller in his Fragmenta phytographiae Australiae in 1865.[5]Template:R/superscript In 1875 the German botanists Hermann Wendland and Oscar Drude published a treatment of Australian palms in the journal Linnaea titled Palmae Australasicae, in which this species was renamed Archontophoenix alexandrae.[6]Template:R/superscript
Etymology
The genus name is derived from the Ancient Greek ἄρχων (árkhōn) meaning 'chieftain' or 'ruler', combined with the palm genus Phoenix, and refers to the regal stature of the trees. The species epithet is given in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark.[4]Template:R/superscript[7]Template:R/superscript
Distribution and habitat
The native range of this species is north-east and central-east Queensland, from the Melville Range in Cape York Peninsula to south of Gladstone.[2]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript The altitudinal range is from sea level to Template:Cvt, although it is most commonly found in lowland riparian rainforest alongside river courses and swamps, often in locations that are severely inundated during heavy rain events.[1]Template:R/superscript[4]Template:R/superscript Their ability to withstand these conditions allows them to become the dominant species.
Ecology
The fruit of the Alexandra palm is eaten by many bird species,[4]Template:R/superscript notably the metallic starling (Aplonis metallica), which often descend on a tree as a flock and may consume all of the ripe fruits within an hour. Other common bird species include the Torresian imperial pigeon (Ducula spilorrhoa) and the wompoo fruit dove (Ptilinopus magnificus). Fruits are also eaten by fruit bats and the musky rat-kangaroo (Hypsiprymnodon moschatus).[4]Template:R/superscript
Uses
The Kuku Yalanji people of Far North Queensland ate the palm heart of this species.[8]Template:R/superscript
Cultivation
This species is easily grown from fresh seed, and is very popular in cultivation in Australia, both for private gardens and as a street and park tree.[1]Template:R/superscript[9]Template:R/superscript It is fast growing and will tolerate cooler climates outside the tropics where there are no frosts, and has been widely planted in many countries. It has become naturalised in Hawaii.[10]Template:R/superscript
Gallery
-
Habitat
-
Flowering
-
Fruiting
-
Fruit
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i j Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
Script error: No such module "Side box". Script error: No such module "Side box".
- Map of occurrences of Archontophoenix alexandrae at the Atlas of Living Australia
- See images of Archontophoenix alexandrae on Flickriver
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist