Livistona nitida

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Livistona (lih-vis-TOH-nuh) nitida (nih-tih'-duh)
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Scientific Classification
Genus: Livistona (lih-vis-TOH-nuh) Species: nitida (nih-tih'-duh)
Synonyms
Livistona sp. 'Carnarvon Gorge'
Native Continent
Oceania
Morphology
Habit: Solitary Leaf type: Pinnate
Culture
Survivability index
Common names
Carnarvon Palm

Habitat and Distribution

Carnarvon National Park in central Queensland, Australia. It is common in the Carnarvon and nearby Isla Gorges where it grows along stream banks and on rocky escarpments. eucalyptus forest areas at an elevation of about 3300 feet.

Description

A tall solitary fan palm to 30m (100ft), with bright green, deeply divided leaves, with long, drooping leaf tips, up to 4.5m (18ft) long, and which form an open crown. It has numerous glossy black fruits that are about 2cm (0.8in) in diameter.

Culture

"L. nitida has done very well in Augusta, GA. Grows much faster with ample water, but does fine without it. Two winters in a row, it was covered in snow for several days. There was some leaf damage, but the palm grew like crazy the following Spring with no spear pull. Lows that it has endured are in the low20's. The palm is 12' tall after six years from a 5-gal. container." (J. Levert), edric.

Comments and Curiosities

"Have a lot of experience with this exceptionally hardy Livistona species, only it's not that unique looking- in fact as a seedling up to a young adult, it can look a lot like a Washingtonia. Is one of the fastest growing Livistona species, and as adult, looks similar to Livistona australis- droopy, somewhat wide, deeply split fan leaves. As seedling, though, leaves fairly stiff and like a small Washingtonia, only with a slightly more costapalmate look (division down the middle where the leaflets divide from). Hard to kill this palm off- likes water, but if doesn't get any, doesn' care. Very cold hardy." (Geoff Stein), edric.

"About 14 yrs ago I obtained some Livistona nitida seed. I had seen seedlings surviving under canopy in the Canberra Botanic gardens. A self-addressed envelope to the ranger at Isla Gorge National Park soon provided a packet of seed - all of which germnated. Shortly after we built a new house on a bare 1/4 acre block. Growth rates varied remarkably. The biggest is now about 4 metres with a well formed trunk. Others which are beyond the irrigation zone or met stiff competition are still barely ankle high. Noteworthy is their tolerance of frost and potentially speedy growth in our harsh climate. We get down to -8°C in Canberra and even seedlings will survive in the open. Growth rates are also much better in the open. They do better in this climate than L. australis , although the latter is still quite frost tolerant. L. nitida does not like to be transplanted but will eventually come good. Be prepared for all the leaves to die back. (I suspect they are adapted to drier climates than L. australis and have a spreading root system). (Ian Knight), edric.

External Links

• Glossary of Palm Terms
• Pronunciation Key

References

Phonetic spelling of Latin names by edric.

Special thanks to Geoff Stein, (Palmbob) for his hundreds of photos, edric.

Special thanks to palmweb.org, Dr. John Dransfield, Dr. Bill Baker & team, for their volumes of information and photos, edric.

• IMAGE GALLERY
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  Dawson River, Queensland. Photo by Mike Crisp, edric.

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  Dawson River, Queensland. Photo by Mike Crisp, edric.

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  Dawson River, Queensland. Photo by Mike Crisp, edric.

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  Dawson River, Queensland. Photo by Mike Crisp, edric.

Many Special Thanks to Ed Vaile for his long hours of tireless editing and numerous contributions.

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