MacArthur Palm

Ptychosperma macarthurii (Wendl.) Nichols.

tie-coe-SPERMA  mac-arr-THUR-ee-eye

Arecaceae

Explanation of name: For the generic name, see Ptychosperma elegans. Specific epithet for Sir W. MacArthur of Australia (JON)

Natural range: New Guinea, Australia (BR1, ELL)

Natural habitat: Rainforests and swamps (RI2)

Recognition: A distinctive clumping palm with numerous thin stems reminiscent of bamboo with raised rings. The leaves are distinctively chopped off squarely at the jagged ends. Hybridizes, which probably explains intermediates between this and P. elegans.

Landscape uses: A clumping palm capable of thick growth or shaped into a cluster of tall bamboo-like stems. In some settings, the suckers are removed to leave a cluster of tall, spindly palms. According to BR1, resistant to Lethal Yellowing. UFENH694 notes suitability for indoor culture and for artificial lighting. ELL gives 3 months for germination.