Ptychosperma elegans

Ptychosperma elegans is a very slender palm endemic to the Northern Territory and eastern Queensland in Australia.[2] It has the common names of Alexander palm,[3] Solitaire palm, cabbage palm, and elegant palm.

Ptychosperma elegans
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Ptychosperma
Species:
P. elegans
Binomial name
Ptychosperma elegans
Synonyms
  • Actinophloeus capitis-yorki (H.Wendl. & Drude) Burret
  • Archontophoenix elegans (R.Br.) F.M.Bailey[1]
  • Archontophoenix jardinei F.M.Bailey
  • Archontophoenix veitchii H.Wendl. & Drude
  • Pinanga smithii W.Hill
  • Ptychosperma capitis-yorki H.Wendl. & Drude
  • Ptychosperma elegans var. sphaerocarpum Becc.
  • Ptychosperma jardinei (F.M.Bailey) F.M.Bailey
  • Ptychosperma seaforthii Miq.
  • Ptychosperma wendlandianum Burret
  • Ptychosperma wendlandianum var. sphaerocarpum (Becc.) Burret
  • Saguaster capitis-yorki (H.Wendl. & Drude) Kuntze
  • Saguaster elegans (R.Br.) Kuntze
  • Seaforthia elegans R.Br.

The palm's native habitats are coastal rainforests in northern Australia.[4] It has been naturalized in South Florida since at least the 1950s, and remains the only member of its genus naturalized in the USA. Due to its intolerance of cold, it is mostly found in South Florida and coastal Tampa. It also is used in Coastal Southern California, primarily Orange and San Diego counties.

Cultivation

Ptychosperma elegans is cultivated as an ornamental tree for planting in temperate climate gardens and parks.[5] It is a single trunked tree, that in cultivation can reach 20–40 feet (6.1–12.2 m) in height.[4]

The trunk is 1–4 inches (2.5–10.2 cm) in diameter. It is light gray or almost white, with dark leaf base scars encircling the trunk.[6]

The pinnately compound leaves or fronds can reach lengths of 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) and are attached to a 1 foot (0.30 m) long petiole. They are dark green on the top and gray-green on the underside.[6]

Inflorescences produce white male and female flowers. Fruits are bright red, about one inch in diameter, and egg shaped.[4][6]

  • Group of Mature Ptychosperma elegans in Miami Florida.
  • Ptychosperma elegans laden with seeds.
  • Group of Ptychosperma elegans in Englewood Florida.


See also

References
  1. F.M. Bailey Cat. Pl. Queensland 50 1890
  2. "Ptychosperma elegans". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  3. "Ptychosperma elegans". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 15 October 2015.
  4. Pacsoa.org.au: Ptychosperma elegans
  5. Dave's Garden Blog: Solitaire Palm (Ptychosperma elegans)
  6. Palmpedia: Ptychosperma elegans


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