Common Names: Big Mountain Palm/Umbrella Palm

From mid to high elevation forests and mountain sides on Lord Howe Island, off the East Australian coast, this mid sized, solitary palm, to about 10m height, has a crown of short, arching, pinnate leaves. The leaf bases form a relatively short, slightly bulbous crownshaft, which is a pale, bluish grey colour. The green/brown trunk has prominent rings that are very close together, an indication of it's slow growth. Due to the altitude of it's natural range, up to 700m/2250ft, it enjoys a milder climate than most palms and will survive in many warm temperate areas. Germination is usually fairly easy from seed and, due to the slow rate of growth, they can be kept as potted specimens for many years. This and the compact nature of the crown, make them suitable for use in well lit areas indoors, where they can be kept for many years before outgrowing their surroundings.