Hydriastele wendlandiana

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Figure 1. H. wendlandiana

Common Names:

Florence Falls Palm
Latrum Palm

Distribution & Habitat:

Monsoonal rainforest, Northern Territory, Australia

Description:

Florence Falls palm is being adopted as a common name for our shade loving Hydriastele. An Arecoid species with short flat leaves and uneven pinnae, two or three slender stems, 7-20m tall, dominating each small clump.

Cultivation:

This palm has the frustrating habit of fruiting heaviest when access roads are impassable in the wet season. Very fresh seed is needed, pre-soaked for a week before defleshing and planting in shallow trays, germinating is six to twelve months. Small bifid seedlings are slow growing and prone to attacks of fungus. They do best in a humid atmosphere, heavy shade, and lightly fertilized. After approximately three years a 1m main stem with 2 or 3 basal suckers is ready to be planted in a sheltered position. Hydriastele can be moved if necessary, quite large specimens transplanting well. Cultivated and irrigated specimens fruit throughout the year.

General:

Not as well known outside enthusiasts' gardens as the Carpentaria acuminata, this species is gradually gaining acceptance as a moderately sized attractive palm for suburban gardens at the stage of "filling-in" beneath established plants. Only suitable indoors if protected from fans and breezes.

Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory

Figure 3. Young H. wendlandiana at Latrum River.

File:H. wendlandiana SSB 805.jpg

Figure 4. H. wendlandiana

File:H. wendlandiana leaf.jpg

Figure 5. H. wendlandiana leaf detail

Contributed by:

Alan White (Text - from Palms & Cycads No. 20 July-Sept 1988)
Robert Tucker (Figure 1) from Palms of Subequatorial Queensland
Ian Edwards (Figure 4&5)

External Links:

Kew, PalmWeb, JSTOR, Trebrown, ATRP, SGAP

Google, GoogleImages, Flickr, PalmTalk