Ptychosperma macarthurii

Ptychosperma macarthurii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Arecales
Family: Arecaceae
Genus: Ptychosperma
Species: P. macarthurii
Binomial name
Ptychosperma macarthurii
(H.Wendl. ex H.J.Veitch) H.Wendl. ex Hook.f.

Ptychosperma macarthurii is a species of palm in the Arecaceae family. It is found only in isolated occurrences in the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia, and also in New Guinea.[1] The species is commonly used as an interior landscaping plant.[2]

Ptychosperma macarthurii was named for Sir William Macarthur (1800–1882), who was one of the most active and influential horticulturists in Australia in the mid-to-late 19th century.

A population of this species near Darwin was previously named Ptychosperma bleeseri and thought to be lost due to habitat loss.[3]

Physical description

The leaves are pinnately compound and can have between 15 and 40 pinnae on each side of the rachis.[4] As an adult, its stems can grow up to 30 feet tall,[4] although most adults are typically 10 to 15 feet tall.[5]

References

  1. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Briggs, George B.; Calvin, Clyde L. (1987). Indoor Plants. Wiley. p. 361. ISBN 978-0471032984.
  3. Ptychosperma bleeseri — Darwin Palm, Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia.
  4. 1 2 "Ptychosperma macarthurii". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  5. "Ptychosperma macarthurii: Macarthur Palm". IFAS Extension, University of Florida. Retrieved 12 December 2015.


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