Common Name: Cabbage Palm

General Information

Livistona australis is a large, attractive, solitary-stemmed, evergreen palm with an unbranched stem that can grow up to 25 metres tall and 25 - 40cm in diameter; this is topped by a globose crown of 35 - 60 fan-shaped leaves with petioles 150 - 250cm long and leaf blades 100 - 130cm wide[, ].
The apical bud was a favourite food of the Australian Aborigines and early white settlers, though this is rarely eaten nowadays since doing so leads to the death of the plant. The plant is often cultivated as an ornamental .
Livistona australis is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2009)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Australia - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland

Habitat

Often locally common and sometimes found in large colonies, it grows in moist areas of open forest, swamp forest, moist sclerophyll forests, along stream banks and in rainforest; at elevations up to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Livistona australis is found mainly in warm temperate to subtropical areas in the wild, but also extends into the tropics of northeast Australia. It is only found in coastal and near coastal lowland areas in temperate regions, but is found at higher elevations in the subtropics and only at elevations between 400 - 1,000 metres in the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 28°c, but can tolerate 8 - 34°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 900 - 1,100mm, but tolerates 800 - 1,200mm[].
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. Plants grow well in full sun, even when small[]. Plants naturally grow in forest habitats and, especially when young, require some shade from the sun for at least part of the day[]. Requires a sheltered position in a fertile moist but well-drained soil that is preferably neutral to acid[, ]. Although plants prefer a deep moist soil, they can also succeed in dry climates[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 5 - 7.5[]. Plants can tolerate at least some maritime exposure with salt spray and somewhat saline soil conditions[].
Plants are slow-growing[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round. They are functionally dioecious and so two distinct plants are needed if fruit and seed are required[].
The plant is moderately resistant to damage from forest fires[].
Plants are very amenable to pot cultivation and can be grown successfully in containers for many years[].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[].

Edible Uses

Young unfolded leaves - raw or cooked[, , ]. The young and tender leaves are eaten like cabbages[]. The young leaf buds are often used but, since the plants are unable to produce side-shoots, this effectively kills the plant[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used for thatching and making hats[, ]. They are large and fibrous and can also be used for making baskets, bags, nets etc[].

Propagation

Seed - sow in early spring in a warm greenhouse, using deep containers in order to avoid root constriction and plating two seeds in each container[]. The seed of this species has a longer viability than that of most palms[]. If necessary, thin the seedlings to the best plant and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least two years. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters.