Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Pholidocarpus kingianus (Becc.) Ridl. (ARECACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Kepau

Description

Large solitary fan-leafed palm to 30m tall, 25�30cm diameter. Crown roundish, with 15�30 leaves. Petiole 1�2m long, with striking yellow and green longitudinal strips and large spines along the margin; blade 1.5�1.8m across, nearly circular, irregularly segmented in groups. Inflorescence much branched, to c. 1.2m long bearing small yellow blossoms. Fruits globose, surface smooth, c. 4.5�5cm across, green turning brown.


Ecology

In freshwater seasonal swamps and along swampy valley bottoms.

Distribution

Peninsular Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia.

Uses

Rarely seen in cultivation but has an enormous potential as a landscape plant.