Livistona australis
| Livistona australis | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 10 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 66' |
| Width: | 20' |
| Speed: | Slow |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Livistona australis (common name: cabbage palm)
Propagation: Seed - sow in early spring in a warm greenhouse, using deep containers in order to avoid root constriction and plating two seeds in each container[1]. The seed of this species has a longer viability than that of most palms[1]. If necessary, thin the seedlings to the best plant and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least two years. If trying them outdoors, plant them out in the summer and give them some protection from the cold for their first few winters.
Cultivation: Requires a sheltered position in a fertile moist but well-drained soil that is preferably neutral to acid[2][3]. Although plants prefer a deep moist soil, they can also succeed in dry climates[3]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[2]. Plants naturally grow in forest habitats and, especially when young, require some shade from the sun for at least part of the day[3].
This species is not very hardy in Britain where it usually requires greenhouse protection[4]. Plants are hardy to at least -7°c in Australian gardens[5], though this cannot be translated directly to British gardens because of our cooler summers and longer colder and wetter winters. Plants have been known to tolerate temperatures down to at least 0°c for short periods[1], they are also very amenable to pot cultivation and can be grown successfully in containers for many years[5].
Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants[3]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates[3]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help[3].
Plants are slow-growing[2].
Range: Australia - Victoria.
Habitat: Moist sheltered localities, usually near the coast[6], especially in eucalyptus forests[7].
Edibility: Young unfolded leaves - raw or cooked[8][9][10]. The young and tender leaves are eaten like cabbages[11]. The young leaf buds are often used but, since the plants are unable to produce side-shoots, this effectively kills the plant[12][6].
Usage: The leaves are used for thatching and making hats[9][12]. They are large and fibrous and can also be used for making baskets, bags, nets etc[7].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: L. inermis. Corypha australis.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 McMillan-Browse. Palms for Cooler Climates. Trebah Enterprises, 1993.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Wrigley, John and Murray Fagg. Australian Native Plants. Collins, 1988.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Ewart, Alfred. Recording Census of the Victorian Flora. 1923.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cribb, Alan. Useful Wild Plants in Australia. William Collins, 1981.
- ↑ Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Usher, George. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable, 1974.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Cribb, Alan and Joan Cribb. Wild Food in Australia. Fontana, 1976.