SCIENTIFIC NAME: Livistona mariae

COMMON NAME(S): Central Australian fan palm
SUB FAMILY: Coryphoideae
TRIBE: Corypheae
ORIGIN: Australia
HARDINESS ZONES: 10A-10B (damaged but recovered at 26 degrees F)
TYPICAL MAXIMUM HEIGHT: 40'
GROWTH RATE: Moderate
HABIT: Solitary; canopy of several dozen leaves
SALT TOLERANCE: Moderate
DROUGHT TOLERANCE: High
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Widely adaptable
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS: High
NUTRITION REQUIREMENTS: Moderate
POPULAR USES: Specimen tree
HUMAN HAZARDS: Spiny
POPULAR OR RECOMMENDED CULTIVARS:

COMMENTS: Livistona mariae is known only from the Alice Springs area in central Australia. This is a hot, dry territory, but the palm occurs in close proximity to year-round water from springs. This robust fan palm appears very adaptable to South Florida conditions. It is among the largest-leafed Livistona species and requires ample room for its sizable canopy. The leaves of young plants turn purplish-red in full sun and also are toothed on their margins.