Archontophoenix alexandrae

Common names

Alexander Palm, King Palm, King Alexander Palm.

Curiosities

Named after princess Alexander.

Origin

East of Australia.

Habitat

Coastal areas of New South Wales and Queensland. Near to fresh running water and marshes.

Morphology

A single trunk covered with the persistent base of dead leaves. Light green crown. The pinnate leaves have a tendency to rotate 90' to expose the whole leaf in profile. Inflorescence growing under the crownshaft, with creamy flowers. Fruits rounded to oval, and red.

Climate

Tropical, subtropical. Has been reported to tolerate temperatures down to –1.2ºC (29.9ºF, USDA Zone 9b).

Germination

Seeds germinate after a few weeks.

Growing

A fast-growing palm. It is cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas, even in warm temperate climate, but is less resistant to cold than A. cunninghamiana. In the Iberian Peninsula can be cultivated in sheltered areas of the southern coast. Can be also grown indoors but requires high humidity and plenty of light.