Livistona australis

PlantFile Report Copyright © 2000 - 2025 Peter Kirkland - www.plantfile.com Plant Profile
Plant
ID 424 Livistona australis
Botanic Name Livistona australis
Common Name Cabbage-tree Palm
Family Name Arecaceae
Cultivars syn. Corypha australis
Origin Australia, East Coast, Zone 9-12
Growth Type Palm / Cycad
Bark Type Leaf scars or bases
Foliage Type Evergreen Water Use Medium
No. of Species 30
Growth Habit Standard Growth Rate Medium
Height 18 - 25 m (60 - 83 ft) Spread 2 m (7 ft)
Plant Overview
This solitary palm has a greyish smooth trunk with a rounded crown of fronds often with a skirt of dead fronds underneath. The glossy green fronds are divided into narrow pendant segments and the small creamy flowers appear in a cluster during spring.
Leaf
Type Compound Additional Information
Shape Costapalmate
The costapalmate fronds are up to 1 m (3 ft) wide and the mid rib extends from the petiole. The pointed linear glossy dark green segments radiate from the top of the petiole and are pendant. The petiole is up to 3 m (10 ft) long.
Arrangement Spiral
Margin Entire
Colour Glossy dark green
Size 600 - 1000 mm ( 23.6 - 39.4 in )
Flower
Perfume Odorless Additional Information
Shape Crateriform
The creamy yellow bisexual crateriform flowers are arranged on a pendulous branched panicle that is up to 900 mm (3 ft) long. They appearing from the leaf bases and the inflorescence is sheathed in brown bracts that have a woolly appearance.
Inflorescence Cluster or Fascicle
Colour Cream
Size 3 - 4 mm ( 0.1 - 0.2 in )
Flowering in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Fruit
Type Berry Additional Information
Colour Black
The almost sessile 20 mm (¾ in) wide spherical berry is reddish-brown to black with a dull thin waxy coat.
Edible Yes
Bird Attractive Yes
Size 15 - 20 mm ( 0.6 - 0.8 in )
Fruiting in
(Southern Hemisphere)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Environment & Cultivation
Natural Soil Well drained, moist-dry, deep sandy-clay loam, organic rich, pH 6.0-7.5
Container Pots, tubs, large planter boxes, when young only
Climate Warm to sub-tropical
Aspect Shade to full sun, wind, drought tolerant, frost tender, protected position
Pest & Diseases Leaf burn, scale insect, orange palm dart, leaf blight, fungal leaf spot
Fertiliser Complete fertiliser when young , mulch and keep moist
Pruning Remove spent leaves otherwise pruning is not necessary
Cultural Uses Propagation
The Cabbage-tree Palm is grown for its stately habit and is planted in parks and large gardens as a lawn specimen or in group plantings. It is also used in gardens for a tropical effect and can be used for street or avenue plantings.
Sow fresh seeds and keep moist with bottom heat and plant up into deep pots. Fresh seed germinates in 6 to 12 weeks.
© 2025 PlantFileonline. All Rights Reserved.
Designed and Developed by Tatvasoft Australia