Identify by swollen base

A tall palm when fully grown to about 25 metres, the Alexandra Palm is closely related to the Bangalow Palm A. cunninghamiana which is native to south-east Queensland. However, the Alexandra Palm is a North Queensland plant. The palms found in bush regeneration sites have typically escaped from residential gardens. They propagate readily in Enoggera catchment and are locally considered a weed. Successful because they can grow rapidly in any well-watered situation including shade.

Leaves to 2 metres are stiff pinnately compound fronds. Leaflets are all in the same plane, bright green above with a silvery underside. The base of the petioles form a bright breen crownshaft. The trunk is smooth and ringed with noticable leaf scars and the base is usually swollen (to about 300 mm). Archontophoenix means prince (chief) and phoenix (date palm) pronounced ar-kon-toh-FEE-niks. The palm was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark.

To weed cut as close as possible to the base. No need to apply herbicide was these palms will not regrow from the base.

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Juveniles. Easiest to cut them at the base when they are small. Photo: Robert Whyte

Flower (Infructescence). Photo: Robert Whyte