Family: Areacaceae

Mainly found in Papua New Guinea and the surrounding islands, this genus of 28 species of small to medium-sized, feather palms also includes two or three species from northern Australia. There are both solitary and multi-trunked types, but all have a well-developed, slender crownshaft, at least when fully mature. The leaves may be divided into only a few, or many, leaflets which may be narrow and linear or fishtail-shaped. All leaflets have toothed apexes. Flowers and fruits are borne on large, spreading sprays below the crownshaft.

Species

P. elegans, solitaire palm, from north-ern Queensland, is the best known of the species. It has a smooth, solitary, prominently ringed trunk, to about 8 m (26 ft) tall and up to 12 cm (5 in) in diameter. The leaves are grace-fully recurved, to about 2 m (6 ft) long, with crowded, broad leaflets. The large, spreading inflorescences appear through much of the year, with heavy crops of scarlet fruits, developing after the small white flowers autumn.

P. macarthurii, Macarthur palm, from rainforest areas of northern Queensland, is a clumping species with up to 20 or so closely crowded trunks. Its trunks are more slender and its leaves slightly smaller than those of P. elegans; otherwise it is fairly similar to that species. Many of the species from New Guinea and Indonesia are cultivated in tropical botanical gardens.

Cultivation

Where frosts occur, grow in a warm greenhouse or conservatory. "These palms also make good house plants. Use soil-based potting compost. Ensure good light (but shade from direct sun), and provide a humid atmosphere. Keep well watered during the growing period, but reduce in winter. Outdoors plants need partial shade and plenty of water. Propagate from seed sown in spring and germinated at 24°C (75°F). Seed usually germinates very easily, taking from six to twelve weeks.

Climate

Warmest parts of zone 10 to tropical.