Licuala ramsayi is a species of plant in the family Arecaceae; its common name is the Queensland or Australian fan palm.[1] Two varieties are recognised: Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi,[2] and Licuala ramsayi var. tuckeri.[3]
L. ramsayi is a distinctive palm with a single trunk to 10 m (33 ft) in height and 10 cm (3.9 in) diameter.[2] It has large, pleated, circular leaves up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in diameter. Petioles have formidable spines to 5 mm (0.20 in) long. The fruits are a red drupe around 10 mm (0.39 in) diameter containing a single seed.[4]
The species grows in swamps, along riverbanks, and in rainforests in Australia. In favourable conditions it may dominate small areas, forming a "fan palm forest".[5] L. ramsayi var. tuckeri is found in Cape York Peninsula southwards to about Cooktown,[3] while L. ramsayi var. ramsayi occurs from Cooktown to the Paluma Range north of Townsville.[2] One of the most cold-tolerant Licuala species and the only one native to Australia.
Trees provided an edible cabbage to Aboriginals, as well as thatch, food wrapping, and cigarette papers (from young leaves)[5] Fruits are eaten by cassowaries.[4]
Licuala Walking Track near Wongaling Beach, Queensland
The spidery inflorescence
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Dominating a section of rainforest
Licuala ramsayi is a species of plant in the family Arecaceae; its common name is the Queensland or Australian fan palm. Two varieties are recognised: Licuala ramsayi var. ramsayi, and Licuala ramsayi var. tuckeri.
