Livistona saribus

Common names

Taraw Palm, Serdang.

Curiosities

Origin

South East of Asia.

Habitat

Grows in tropical rainforest, even on marshy soils rich in turf. Grows over the rainforest ceiling.

Morphology

A greyish trunk with annular rings and sometimes with the persistent base leaves. Can reach 25 m, growing over the rest of rainforest plants. Costapalmate leaves, unevenly divided in groups of bifid, drooping, orange red segments. Petioles with toothed margins.

Climate

Tropical but can cope in subtropical climate and with some winter cold. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –4.4ºC (24ºF, USDA Zone 9a).

Germination

Seeds usually germinate in 2, 3 or 4 months.

Growing

Usually a fast grower. Keep young plants in light shade.