Editing Livistona inermis (section)

===Introduction: ===
In July 1988, during geological exploration in
the vicinity of Westmoreland Station in remote far northwest
Queensland, Jenny Birch (J.B.) encountered an unexpected
population of a ''Livistona'' species. Somewhat scattered
on the northern sides of a weathered sandstone tract rising
to 269m, the most dense stands appeared in the steep-sided
gullies and pockets within the range. Fruits were collected,
details noted and photographs taken. Unfortunately the
significance of the occurrence was not recognised, so samples
of leaves and infloresences were not collected. Subsequent
determinations (A.K. Irvine, J.L.D.) have placed the palm as
''Livistona inermis'' R. Br.

To verify the authenticity of the claim, the Queensland
Herbarium (Bris) was contacted. A collection labelled
''Livistona inermis'' (Farrell, F.T. 815 20th Dec. 1977)
was acknowledged, the locality at which it was collected
noted as 20&#176; 21' S by 139&#176; 44'E which is approximately 100 km
northwest of Mount Isa, and 300km east*southeast of
Westmoreland.

The locality, a tributary of the Gregory River
and within the limits of the known distribution of
''L. rigida'', introduced an element of doubt as to the
correct naming of the Farrell collection. Subsequently, an
examination of that collection was undertaken and it was
determined that it was indeed ''L. rigida'' and not
''L. inermis'' as labelled. Notwithstanding other
disclosures of misrepresentations or obscure collections of
this species, it appears that the J.B. collection from
Westmoreland is the first substantiated report of
''L. inermis'' in Queensland.
With their reddish petioles, clean trunks and
graceful form, ''Livistona inermis''
make handsome stands in the Westmoreland area. Extreme
variation in height is noticeable - odd specimens are 2 or 3
times the average height which is otherwise uniform.