Licuala ramsayi

Licuala ramsayi is a species of plant in the family Arecaceae; its common name is the Queensland or Australian fan palm.[1] Two varieties are recognised: Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi,[2] and Licuala ramsayi var. tuckeri.[3]

Licuala ramsayi
Licuala ramsayi near Mission Beach, Queensland
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Tribe: Trachycarpeae
Genus: Licuala
Species:
L. ramsayi
Binomial name
Licuala ramsayi

Description

L. ramsayi is a distinctive palm with a single trunk to 10 m (33 ft) in height and 10 cm (3.9 in) diameter.[2] It has large, pleated, circular leaves up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. Petioles have formidable spines to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. The fruits are a red drupe around 10 mm (0.39 in) diameter containing a single seed.[4]

Distribution and habitat

The species grows in swamps, along riverbanks, and in rainforests in Australia. In favourable conditions it may dominate small areas, forming a "fan palm forest".[5] L. ramsayi var. tuckeri is found in Cape York Peninsula southwards to about Cooktown,[3] while L. ramsayi var. ramsayi occurs from Cooktown to the Paluma Range north of Townsville.[2] One of the most cold-tolerant Licuala species and the only one native to Australia.

Ecology

Trees provided an edible cabbage to Aboriginals, as well as thatch, food wrapping, and cigarette papers (from young leaves)[5] Fruits are eaten by cassowaries.[4]

  • Licuala Walking Track near Wongaling Beach, Queensland
  • The spidery inflorescence
  • Dominating a section of rainforest


References
  1. Cooper, Wendy. "Australian Rainforest Fruits" (2013): 84.
  2. F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  3. F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Licuala ramsayi var. tuckeri". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  4. Cooper, Wendy; Cooper, William T. (June 2004). Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Clifton Hill, Victoria, Australia: Nokomis Editions. p. 71. ISBN 9780958174213. Retrieved 20 June 2021.
  5. Beasley, John (2009). Plants of Cape York - the compact guide. John Beasley. p. 144. ISBN 978-0-9806863-0-2.


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