Ptychosperma macarthurii
Ptychosperma macarthurii, known as the Macarthur palm, is a species of plant in the family Arecaceae. It is found only in isolated occurrences in the Northern Territory and Queensland in Australia, and also in New Guinea.[1] The species is commonly used as an interior landscaping plant.[2]
| Ptychosperma macarthurii | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Ptychosperma |
| Species: | P. macarthurii |
| Binomial name | |
| Ptychosperma macarthurii (H.Wendl. ex H.J.Veitch) H.Wendl. ex Hook.f. | |
Ptychosperma macarthurii was named for Sir William Macarthur (1800–1882), who was one of the most active and influential horticulturists in Australia in the mid-to-late 19th century.
A population of this species near Darwin was previously named Ptychosperma bleeseri and thought to be lost due to habitat loss.[3]
Physical description
The leaves are pinnately compound and can have between 15 and 40 pinnae on each side of the rachis.[4] As an adult, its stems can grow up to 30 feet tall,[4] although most adults are typically 10 to 15 feet tall.[5]
References
- Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- Briggs, George B.; Calvin, Clyde L. (1987). Indoor Plants. Wiley. p. 361. ISBN 978-0471032984.
- Ptychosperma bleeseri — Darwin Palm, Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment and Heritage, Australia.
- "Ptychosperma macarthurii". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
- "Ptychosperma macarthurii: Macarthur Palm". IFAS Extension, University of Florida. Retrieved 12 December 2015.