Archontophoenix cunninghamiana H.Wendl., H.Wendl & Drude

Common name(s): Bangolow Palm, King Palm, Illawara Palm, Piccabben, Piccabeen

Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
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Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_lower
Bark (Lower)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Bark_upper
Bark (Upper)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Frond_back
Frond (Back)
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
Taken by Ken Harrington
Fruit
Fruit
Taken by Ken Harrington
Plant
Plant
Taken by Ken Harrington on 3rd August, 2025 at Maleny, Queensland
Frond_front
Frond (Front)
Taken by Ken Harrington on 3rd August, 2025 at Maleny, Queensland
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Palm / Palm Ally Properties
Origin(s)
Australia
  • NSW: NC, CC
  • QLD: CO, KN, PC, WB, MO
Plant Type
Frond Self Cleaning, Palm Feather-leaved, Solitary
Frond Self Cleaning,
Palm Feather-leaved,
Solitary
Climate Range(s) - Habitat
Temperate Warm, Tropical-Sub, Tropical
Temperate Warm,
Tropical-Sub,
Tropical
Aspect Range(s)
Sun - Full
Sun - Full
Habitat Range(s)
Forest - Grassy, Garden, Lakes / Dams / Swamps, Landscape, Rainforest - Sub-tropical, Rainforest - Tropical
Forest - Grassy,
Garden,
Lakes / Dams / Swamps,
Landscape,
Rainforest - Sub-tropical,
Rainforest - Tropical
Habitat Zone(s)
Exposed, Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's, Heavy soils, Moist areas, Moist Slopes, Open areas, Riparian areas, Sandy Moist, Well drained, Wet Pockets, Windy
Exposed,
Gullies / Valley's / Canyon's,
Heavy soils,
Moist areas,
Moist Slopes,
Open areas,
Riparian areas,
Sandy Moist,
Well drained,
Wet Pockets,
Windy
Mature Height
20-25m
20-25m
Mature Width
6-7m, 7-8m
6-7m,
7-8m
Growth Rate
Fast
Fast
Plant Shape
Standard Crown - Open
Standard Crown - Open
Standard Crown - Open Standard Crown - Open
Life Span
50-100yrs
50-100yrs
Frond Properties
Frond Colour(s) (front)
Glossy, Green, Green Dark
Glossy,
Green,
Green Dark
Frond Colour(s) (back)
Dull, Green
Dull,
Green
Frond Texture (front)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Frond Texture (back)
Glabrous
Glabrous
Glabrous Glabrous
Frond Length
3-3.5m
3-3.5m
Frond Aroma
None
None
Frond Shapes
Pinnate / Imparapinnate
Pinnate / Imparapinnate
Pinnate / Imparapinnate Pinnate / Imparapinnate
Frond Arrangement
Alternate
Alternate
Alternate Alternate
Trunk / Stem Properties
Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)
Green, Purple-brown
Green,
Purple-brown
Colour(s) (Base)
Grey
Grey
Texture (Upper)
Hairs-fine
Hairs-fine
Smooth
Smooth
Hairs-fine Hairs-fine,
Smooth Smooth
Texture (Base)
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous
Rough / Scabrous Rough / Scabrous
Corky
Corky
Inflorescence (Flower) Properties
Gender: Male
Flowering Time (start)
Spring
Spring
Colour(s)
Pink, Purple Light, Lilac
Pink,
Purple Light,
Lilac
Flower Shape(s)
Male Staminate Flower
Male Staminate Flower
Male Staminate Flower Male Staminate Flower
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangements
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Wind
Bees,
Insects,
Wind
Gender: Female
Flowering Time (start)
Spring
Spring
Colour(s)
Pink, Lilac, Purple Light
Pink,
Lilac,
Purple Light
Aroma(s)
None
None
Arrangements
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar
Pollinator(s)
Bees, Insects, Wind
Bees,
Insects,
Wind
Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties
Type
Bacca
Bacca
Bacca Bacca
Shape(s)
Ellipsoid
Ellipsoid
Ovoid
Ovoid
Ellipsoid Ellipsoid,
Ovoid Ovoid
Length
5-10mm, 10-15mm
5-10mm,
10-15mm
Aroma
None
None
Root Properties
Type
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root
Soil Properties
Type(s)
Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Sand, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter, Peaty
Clay-loam,
Loam,
Sandy-loam,
Sand,
Hummus Rich,
Organic Matter,
Peaty
pH Range(s)
Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline
Acid,
Slightly Acid,
Neutral,
Slightly Alkaline
Condition(s)
Wet
Wet
Moist
Moist
Wet Wet,
Moist Moist
Fertile , Deep , Well Drained
Fertile,
Deep,
Well Drained
Salinities
None
None
None None
Other Properties / Uses
Bee Attraction
Poor
Poor
Bird Attraction
Fruit
Fruit
Butterfly Attraction
None
None
Frog Habitat
None
None
Coastal
2nd Line
2nd Line
Edible(s)
Leaves
Leaves
Fire Retarding
None
None
Drought Tolerance
Poor
Poor
Frost Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Smog Tolerance
Moderate
Moderate
Snow Tolerance
None
None
Landscape Use
Very Good
Very Good
Special Purpose(s)
Bogs, Garden-Container, Drain Clogger, Erosion Control, Foliage-Interesting, Garden-Australian Native, Garden-Bog, Garden-Coastal, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Foliage, Garden-Formal, Garden-Rainforest, Garden-Tropical, Pond Edge, Shade tree-Light, Specimen, Sunny Moist, Temporary Inundation, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Windbreak
Bogs,
Garden-Container,
Drain Clogger,
Erosion Control,
Foliage-Interesting,
Garden-Australian Native,
Garden-Bog,
Garden-Coastal,
Garden-Courtyard,
Garden-Foliage,
Garden-Formal,
Garden-Rainforest,
Garden-Tropical,
Pond Edge,
Shade tree-Light,
Specimen,
Sunny Moist,
Temporary Inundation,
Tolerant-Deer,
Tolerant-Kangaroo's,
Windbreak
Weed Potential(s)
Brazil
  • Brazil: Declared
New Zealand
  • N.Z.: Declared

General Notes

A very stately, self cleaning palm with arching fronds. Growing naturally on creek banks, gullies and moist areas. With their mass of cord-like roots in a tight colony they are important in reducing erosion on creek banks. Renowned for their ability to withstand strong winds and cyclones. Planted in groups they make an excellent display in garden or landscape.

The cabbage or leaf base was eaten by the Aborigines and early settlers and is apparently very tasty, though ususally meaning the death of the tree in harvesting.