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

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

Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark (Lower)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Bark (Upper)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Frond (Back)

Taken by Ken Harrington

Fruit

Taken by Ken Harrington

Fruit

Taken by Ken Harrington

Plant

Taken by Ken Harrington on 3rd August, 2025 at Maleny, Queensland

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

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

Mature Width

6-7m, 7-8m

6-7m,

7-8m

Growth Rate

Fast

Plant Shape

Standard Crown - Open

Life Span

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

Frond Texture (back)

Glabrous

Frond Length

3-3.5m

Frond Aroma

None

Frond Shapes

Pinnate / Imparapinnate

Frond Arrangement

Alternate

Frond Attachment

Complete Sheaf

Pinna Shape(s) (Frondlet)

Linear

Pinna Length (Frondlet)

30-40mm, 40-50mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Pinna Width (Frondlet)

20-25mm, 25-30mm, 30-40mm

20-25mm,

25-30mm,

30-40mm

Pinnae Arrangement

Even Pinnae

Pinnule Apice(s) (Leaflet)

Acute Narrowly

Cirrhose

Acute Narrowly,

Cirrhose

Pinnule Base(s) (Leaflet)

Truncate

Pinnule Margin(s) (Leaflet)

Entire

Petiole Texture

Smooth

Trunk / Stem Properties

Colour(s) (Upper/Crown Shaft)

Green, Purple-brown

Green,

Purple-brown

Colour(s) (Base)

Grey

Texture (Upper)

Hairs-fine

Smooth

Hairs-fine,

Smooth

Texture (Base)

Rough / Scabrous

Corky

Cross Section

Terete

Diameter

15-20mm, 20-25mm

15-20mm,

20-25mm

Length

18-19m, 19-20m

18-19m,

19-20m

Features

Distinct Growth Rings, Smooth Trunk

Construction

Pith Continuous

Inflorescence (Flower) Properties

Gender: Male

Flowering Time (start)

Spring

Colour(s)

Pink, Purple Light, Lilac

Pink,

Purple Light,

Lilac

Flower Shape(s)

Male Staminate Flower

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects, Wind

Bees,

Insects,

Wind

Stamen Number

9-16

Gender: Female

Flowering Time (start)

Spring

Colour(s)

Pink, Lilac, Purple Light

Pink,

Lilac,

Purple Light

Aroma(s)

None

Arrangements

Axillary, Subfoliar / Infrafoliar

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Insects, Wind

Bees,

Insects,

Wind

Indusia (Fruiting Body) Properties

Type

Bacca

Shape(s)

Ellipsoid

Ovoid

Ellipsoid,

Ovoid

Outer Colour(s)

Glossy, Red

Glossy,

Red

Outer Texture

Waxy

Length

5-10mm, 10-15mm

5-10mm,

10-15mm

Aroma

None

Seed Properties

Type

Nutlet

Shape(s)

Ellipsoid

Seed Number

Root Properties

Type

Subterranean Stem/Adventitious Root

Texture

Cord-like , Pliable

Cord-like,

Pliable

Colour(s)

Brown, Grey-brown

Brown,

Grey-brown

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

Moist

Wet,

Moist

Fertile , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Poor

Bird Attraction

Fruit

Butterfly Attraction

None

Frog Habitat

None

Carbon Sequestration Potential

Medium

Wood Density

Low < 600kg/c.m.

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

Leaves

Fire Regeneration(s)

Seed

Fire Retarding

None

Drought Tolerance

Poor

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Smog Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Indigenous Use(s)

Leaves

Landscape Use

Very Good

Street Use

Moderate

Commercial Use(s)

None

Pests/Diseases

Mealy Bug, Palm Dart Butterflies, Red Spider Mite, Scale

Mealy Bug,

Palm Dart Butterflies,

Red Spider Mite,

Scale

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

Propagation

Fresh Seed

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.

Propagation Notes

Fresh Seed

Flowering

Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May

Seed Collecting

Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Sowing

Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec

Material Preparation

The seed takes 6 - 9 mths to ripen. Pick the fruit when it is very red, off the tree or from off the ground. Peel off the outer flesh or if too hard, soak the seeds in warm water for 48 - 72 hours to loosen the outer flesh. Change the water daily. Discard any seeds that float to the top, keep the ones that sink. Floating seeds won't germinate as they lack an endosperm. Wash the seeds thoroughly with Solvol soap to remove any remaining pulp. Allow to dry. Store in a cool, dark place. It is best to sow the seed as soon as possible for best results.

Viability:- 6 - 12 months

Seeds/gram:-

Propagating Mix

Premium Seed Raising Mix

Treatment

Sow fresh seed into P2 tubes and cover with mix, water in well with Previcur fungicide mix. Place in hothouse on 21°C heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 60-70% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Viable seeds/gram:-

Germination time:- 1 - 3 months 4 – 6 months before first frond opens

Pricking out:- N. A.

140mm Pot Mix:- Premium Potting Mix

Notes

Seedlings don't like to be disturbed, so planting in individual tubes or pots is best.