Common names for Archontophoenix palms

[Walter John]

For the uneducated reading this thread including aussies, there are completely different common names given to these Australian palms internationally. Please correct me if I err in the names.

When you use common names for palms, people can get confused as to what palm species you are really talking about, I sure did when I first joined this forum back in 1834. Everyone (mainly yanks) were saying "King" palm and I didn't have a clue what they were talking about.

Anyway, the palms I'm talking about here are Archontophoenix palms.

The first under the common name microscope is A.cunninghamiana, a real mouthful, so it is quite understandable that common names are often used for this species. In Australia, there are in fact 2 common names just to make it even more confusing, we either refer to them as "Bangalow" palms or "Picabeen" palms. Bangalow relates to a township/geographical area where they are often growing in abundance, or at least used to and Picabeen refers to an aboriginal object for collecting food etc, the sheath of the palm leaf of this palm. In the US, they call them "King" palms.

The second and even more popular and/or well known of this genera is A. alexandrae. In Australia, they are called alexander palms and sometimes alexandra palms but usually this is often shortened to "alex" palms by palm enthusiasts like myself. In the US, they call them "King" palms.

The most awe inspiring of this group would arguably be A.purpurea. Still relatively unknown outside palm interest circles, it is sometimes referred to from it's locality common name of "Mount Lewis palm". It is quite possibly the biggest kept secret palm from the general public that I know of. If it did become popular, can you imagine what some nurseries would start calling it. In the US, they call them "Purple King" palms, which I in fact actually like because saying "Archontophoenix purpurea" is also a pain in the butt.

A.tuckeri is next and it is known around it's locale as Rocky River/Peach Creek Archontophoenix or Pascoe/Claudie River Archontophoenix or Cape York and Bamaga Archontophoenix, take you pick, I don't like any of those so I and my fellow society peeps refer to them as "tuckeri" only, nice and simple and is the right botanical name anyways. In the US, they call them "King" palms.

Finally, we have A.maxima, my favorite. It's locale common name is quite okay with me, "Walsh River" palm but I and most of us here call them "maxima". In the US, they call them "King" palms.

Confused ? then why not just use the botanical name, because using that, you can't go wrong.

Okay boys and girls, let me have it ...............

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Wal, that was a wonderful compendium on the dichotomy of binomial nomenclature versus ubiquitous geographical terminology.

[PalmatierMeg]

Wal, thanks for the clarification. I'm printing it for posterity. The "King" palm thing drives me nuts, i.e.

Speaker: I got a King palm

Me: Cool. Which one?

Speaker: Huh?

Me: Which species? Archontophoenix _______?

Speaker: Well, I dunno. One of them, I suppose.

I'm not talking speakers who are palm-ignorant either. Always good to know which "King" is your/my "King."

[ariscott]

So... I got it wrong all this time... I thought King Palms were A. cunninghamiana only... I didn't know they were ALL king palms.

Regards, Ari

Edited June 20, 2008 by ariscott

[pindo]

So... I got it wrong all this time... I thought King Palms were A. cunninghamiana only... I didn't know they were ALL king palms.

Regards, Ari

Hi...

In Argentina, and other countries of Latin America, Archontophoenix sp is called Seaforthia.....

Why not the binomial names ????

Regards, Jose

[Rusty on Pine Is.]

Hmmm, come to think of it, i usually call A. cunninghamiana a Cunningham....close, but no cigar on that one.

[realarch]

Thanks for the info Wal, nice to know the background of Archontophoenix common names. I always thought picabeen had something to do with the seed, and now that I think about it, that leaf sheath would make a great party tray.

I've not heard of A. maxima and will have to check it out. For most people in these parts everything is a called a 'King' palm if it's not a washy.

Tim

[Walter John]

So... I got it wrong all this time... I thought King Palms were A. cunninghamiana only... I didn't know they were ALL king palms.

Regards, Ari

Hi...

In Argentina, and other countries of Latin America, Archontophoenix sp is called Seaforthia.....

Why not the binomial names ????

Regards, Jose

Hi Jose, yes "Seaforthia elegans" was a previous botanical name for the bangalow palm.

[palmtiki]

Very informative Wal but don't stop there. Now that you are on a roll, how about further educating us yanks (especially me) as to how does one distinguish between the different types of Kings...errr.. Archontophoenix palms.

Bob

[Mark Heath]

In Florida we call it the "Picabean", you guys in California call it the "King Palm". I don't understand why you guys call it the King Palm when the Alexander has been dubbed that long ago. But, alas, i guess we can just chaulk that up to different states/areas! It is from Austraila, so why not call it as the aussies call it? Just my two cents!

[Walter John]

In Florida we call it the "Picabean", you guys in California call it the "King Palm". I don't understand why you guys call it the King Palm when the Alexander has been dubbed that long ago. But, alas, i guess we can just chaulk that up to different states/areas! It is from Austraila, so why not call it as the aussies call it? Just my two cents!

I love you like a brother Mark

[Walter John]

Very informative Wal but don't stop there. Now that you are on a roll, how about further educating us yanks (especially me) as to how does one distinguish between the different types of Kings...errr.. Archontophoenix palms.

Bob

Okay Bob, I'll give it a chop. That's not a pork chop by the way, as in, "What's that ? a pork chop ?", ah doesn't matter, anyway, where were we ? right..........

The first thing to know is this, I accidently left off one of the species of Archos (which is how I personally refer to them as a group)and that is A.myolensis. I always think of myolensis as a she, I don't know why really, so let me tell you about her. She doesn't have a readily accepted common name either, maybe just "Myola" palm because of it's locale near and on Myola creek. That's easy to say though, "Myola".

"How's your Myola going Bob?"

"Great thanks Wal, just been sprayin' the leaflets for the society visit in about an hour"

"Roger that".

Okay, now let's get down and dirty with distinguishing Archos.

pause.........better get a cuppa, plus I want to post some pics I just took.

[DoomsDave]

Piccabean?

What's the origin of that name in OZ?

Sounds like hands on legume s. . . .

[pindo]

The point is: having each palm a scientific name …why the whole people, and do I include myself, does it use the common names instead of the scientists?

[osideterry]

I've read in multiple places that in the US A. cunninghamiana is called King Palm, and in Australia A. alexandra is called King Palm.

Also: Is it true that before 1994, purpurea, maxima, tuckeri, and myolensis were all just considered variations of alexandra?

Wal, you're not the only one ascribing genders to palm species. Cunningham, maxima, tuckeri are all guys; alexandra, myolensis and purpurea are all girls.

[Walter John]

I've read in multiple places that in the US A. cunninghamiana is called King Palm, and in Australia A. alexandra is called King Palm.

Also: Is it true that before 1994, purpurea, maxima, tuckeri, and myolensis were all just considered variations of alexandra?

Wal, you're not the only one ascribing genders to palm species. Cunningham, maxima, tuckeri are all guys; alexandra, myolensis and purpurea are all girls.

I know many palm growers in Australia and many palm nurseryman and many palm society folk and none of them, read my lips, none of them refer to the alex as a King palm, well maybe Daryl did once, the big turncoat

[bgl]

Actually, the A. alexandrae (which has naturalized very successfully here on the Big Island) is never, ever, referred to as a "King palm" here. Always as "alexandra palm".

[Walter John]

Very informative Wal but don't stop there. Now that you are on a roll, how about further educating us yanks (especially me) as to how does one distinguish between the different types of Kings...errr.. Archontophoenix palms.

Bob

Righteeoh Bob and others, here's a summary or simplified version of the differences between the Archontophoenix species. My sources of information are: Myself, with my own growing experiences and observations of Archos around the joint including botanical gardens here in Queensland, I am growing all species plus a hybrid and an unofficial variation. My friends - and let me tell you I know all the people worth knowing when the matter concerns Australian palm trees and of course the book no-one should be without, "1001 ways to describe Archontophoenix palm trees" by Mrs Phyllis Quaterman.

Firstly, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, which I personally call a "Bangalow" or "Banger" palm.

Bob said: "I see you got some space over here Wal, what you gonna plant there ?"

Wal replied: "Ah, I was thinking maybe a couple a bangers or maybe an alex or two, what do ya reckon hey ?"

Bob answered: "What's a banger ?"

Bangalows have two very important differences from the rest of the genus, 1/ the underside of the leaves are light green and not whiteish and brightly reflective at night like all the other Archontophoenix and 2/ The flowers are lilac coloured. Bangers also have this brownish scaly fuzz happening under the leaves when they get older, I'm sure there's a techo name for it.

I and Mrs Quaterman like to use the Alexander palm as a comparison guide to the others, so, firstly, Archontophoenix maxima differs from the alex in that it's actual crown of leaves grows more upright erect or shuttlecock wise. It's trunk also has a stepped bulge at it's base. Don't mess with the maxima, it is biggest in the genus. White/cream flowers like the alex.

Archontophoenix Purpurea has a purple crownshaft, look closely and there are grey scales and ramenta (brownish stuff) under the leaflets, otherwise the same as alex. White/cream flowers like the alex.

Archontophoenix tuckerii, has what I've seen as a more vivid or highlighter green crownshaft than all the others. Very pretty specimens here at the Mt Cootha BG. White/cream flowers like the alex but the fruit is known to be redder than alex and his pals.

Archontophoenix myolensis is the most endangered Archo, not many left in the wild at all, they differ in that the seeds are sub-apical (spelling ?) when attached and are not joined like the rest of the archos.

In Summary:

Only technical specs separate these palms apart from the purpurea with it's standout different coloured crownshaft. Next to the coconut, these are the grandest typical palms growing and yes that is a somewhat biased view although when you consider sheer magnificent plant form and shape, the Archontophoenix stands alone.

Apart from Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, which grows in both Queensland and New South Wales, all Archontophoenix call Queensland home. One final comment, GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS !!

Thank you linesman, thank you ball boys.

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

Very informative Wal but don't stop there. Now that you are on a roll, how about further educating us yanks (especially me) as to how does one distinguish between the different types of Kings...errr.. Archontophoenix palms.

Bob

Righteeoh Bob and others, here's a summary or simplified version of the differences between the Archontophoenix species. My sources of information are: Myself, with my own growing experiences and observations of Archos around the joint including botanical gardens here in Queensland, I am growing all species plus a hybrid and an unofficial variation. My friends - and let me tell you I know all the people worth knowing when the matter concerns Australian palm trees and of course the book no-one should be without, "1001 ways to describe Archontophoenix palm trees" by Mrs Phyllis Quaterman.

Firstly, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, which I personally call a "Bangalow" or "Banger" palm.

Bob said: "I see you got some space over here Wal, what you gonna plant there ?"

Wal replied: "Ah, I was thinking maybe a couple a bangers or maybe an alex or two, what do ya reckon hey ?"

Bob answered: "What's a banger ?"

Bangalows have two very important differences from the rest of the genus, 1/ the underside of the leaves are light green and not whiteish and brightly reflective at night like all the other Archontophoenix and 2/ The flowers are lilac coloured. Bangers also have this brownish scaly fuzz happening under the leaves when they get older, I'm sure there's a techo name for it.

I and Mrs Quaterman like to use the Alexander palm as a comparison guide to the others, so, firstly, Archontophoenix maxima differs from the alex in that it's actual crown of leaves grows more upright erect or shuttlecock wise. It's trunk also has a stepped bulge at it's base. Don't mess with the maxima, it is biggest in the genus. White/cream flowers like the alex.

Archontophoenix Purpurea has a purple crownshaft, look closely and there are grey scales and ramenta (brownish stuff) under the leaflets, otherwise the same as alex. White/cream flowers like the alex.

Archontophoenix tuckerii, has what I've seen as a more vivid or highlighter green crownshaft than all the others. Very pretty specimens here at the Mt Cootha BG. White/cream flowers like the alex but the fruit is known to be redder than alex and his pals.

Archontophoenix myolensis is the most endangered Archo, not many left in the wild at all, they differ in that the seeds are sub-apical (spelling ?) when attached and are not joined like the rest of the archos.

In Summary:

Only technical specs separate these palms apart from the purpurea with it's standout different coloured crownshaft. Next to the coconut, these are the grandest typical palms growing and yes that is a somewhat biased view although when you consider sheer magnificent plant form and shape, the Archontophoenix stands alone.

Apart from Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, which grows in both Queensland and New South Wales, all Archontophoenix call Queensland home. One final comment, GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS !!

Thank you linesman, thank you ball boys.

Hi Guys,

Great reading as normal Wal, Very informitive indeed Dude well done

I really love your last comment, Mind you some of our N.S.W

people may not, so once more from another Queenslander,

GO THE MIGHTY MAROONS..........

Mikey....

[palmtiki]

Wal,

Thank you for explaining the differences among the various species of the Archontoophoenix genus. I'll have to go out in the morning and check out the grove at my plantation to see whether I have "Bangers"or "Alexs".

Bob

[Dave-Vero]

I'm still a bit puzzled that these aren't mass-market palms in southern Florida. Common names could be a problem. A. tuckeri in particular has something the look of a scaled-down royal palm. I don't have royals in my yard (too big), but tuckeri's seem tractable (it helps that I finally saw some mature ones recently).

[Walter John]

I'm still a bit puzzled that these aren't mass-market palms in southern Florida. Common names could be a problem. A. tuckeri in particular has something the look of a scaled-down royal palm. I don't have royals in my yard (too big), but tuckeri's seem tractable (it helps that I finally saw some mature ones recently).

You'll only find Bangalows and Alexander palms here for sale, except at palm specialist nurseries of which there are only a few and even there you won't see Myolas.

[Daryl]

I've read in multiple places that in the US A. cunninghamiana is called King Palm, and in Australia A. alexandra is called King Palm.

Also: Is it true that before 1994, purpurea, maxima, tuckeri, and myolensis were all just considered variations of alexandra?

Wal, you're not the only one ascribing genders to palm species. Cunningham, maxima, tuckeri are all guys; alexandra, myolensis and purpurea are all girls.

I know many palm growers in Australia and many palm nurseryman and many palm society folk and none of them, read my lips, none of them refer to the alex as a King palm, well maybe Daryl did once, the big turncoat

Onya Wal...stick to light beer...

Daz

[ariscott]

We only have alexandria here in Darwin. Apparently Bangalows don't grow too well... I haven't tried it myself though. I picked up A. purpurea in Cairns the last time I was there...so we shall see. I was planning to get another Archontophoenix and plant them together. Do they hybridize?

Regards, Ari

[Daryl]

We only have alexandria here in Darwin. Apparently Bangalows don't grow too well... I haven't tried it myself though. I picked up A. purpurea in Cairns the last time I was there...so we shall see. I was planning to get another Archontophoenix and plant them together. Do they hybridize?

Regards, Ari

Ari,

Alexs grow well in Darwin, there were some beauties at Arnhem Nursery growing under full Khaya canopy. Bangalows won't grow there... too hot...30 years and nobody has been able to grow one as far as I know!

Yes, they certainly hybridise...good old alabangs!

Daryl

[ariscott]

I have 2 alex myself... starting to look good now. Quite fat and very green!!! Loving it, even though it is 'common'. It is ok, I don't have to grow bangalows, there are other palms I can grow instead .

Regards, Ari

p.s. Daryl, I posted the blue frangipani flower in the frangipani thread. What do you think?

[Daryl]

I have 2 alex myself... starting to look good now. Quite fat and very green!!! Loving it, even though it is 'common'. It is ok, I don't have to grow bangalows, there are other palms I can grow instead .

Regards, Ari

p.s. Daryl, I posted the blue frangipani flower in the frangipani thread. What do you think?

Yeah, the last palm I'd be growing in Darwin would be a Bangalow I posted a response on the plumeria thread too.

Daryl

[Walter John]

I've read in multiple places that in the US A. cunninghamiana is called King Palm, and in Australia A. alexandra is called King Palm.

Also: Is it true that before 1994, purpurea, maxima, tuckeri, and myolensis were all just considered variations of alexandra?

Wal, you're not the only one ascribing genders to palm species. Cunningham, maxima, tuckeri are all guys; alexandra, myolensis and purpurea are all girls.

I know many palm growers in Australia and many palm nurseryman and many palm society folk and none of them, read my lips, none of them refer to the alex as a King palm, well maybe Daryl did once, the big turncoat

Onya Wal...stick to light beer...

Daz

Must have been Mikey I was thinking of.

[simona]

Jordan (one nursery):

me: What's this beauty?

Seller: Alexandra!

me: Archontophoenix?

Seller: Alexandra!

me: Archontophoenix?

Seller: Huh? dunno...

me: Archontophoenix Alexandra?

Seler: dunno, just Alexandra!

me: ok, i'll have two Alexandras, please....(leaving happy and thinking: oh, the guys in Palmtalk are experts and they will identify in no time my beauties).

[Walter John]

Jordan (one nursery):

me: What's this beauty?

Seller: Alexandra!

me: Archontophoenix?

Seller: Alexandra!

me: Archontophoenix?

Seller: Huh? dunno...

me: Archontophoenix Alexandra?

Seler: dunno, just Alexandra!

me: ok, i'll have two Alexandras, please....(leaving happy and thinking: oh, the guys in Palmtalk are experts and they will identify in no time my beauties).

Oh that reminds me, Archontophoenix cunninghamianas look different to the others in the genus when younger, they have a yellowish appearance on crownshafts and petioles. It's nigh impossible to tell the difference in the others when younger, pre trunking and early trunking.

Archontophoenix is pronounced AR-CON-TOE-FEE-NIX

cunninghamiana is pronounced BANG-AH-LOW

I kill me sometimes

[calyptrocalyx&licuala freck]

I know many palm growers in Australia and many palm nurseryman and many palm society folk and none of them, read my lips, none of them refer to the alex as a King palm, well maybe Daryl did once, the big turncoat

[Walter John]

[quote

Hi Wal,

You know me I'm an Kiwi/Aussie and maybe you had One to many Bundy's Or Heavy

Beers on that day the only "King' I know is the "King Fern"

ha ha ha, who ya thinking of Wal.

Cheers Dude..... Mikey

[Mark Heath]

In the first palm book i bought, "Betrocks Guide to Landscape Palms" it has the Archontophoenix Alexandrae as the King Alexander or Alexandra palm, as far as common names. It has the A.Cunninghamiana as the Piccabeen or Bangalow palm. The author, Alan W. Meerow researched the common names from what it is called by the people of its native origin. Again, i think that is what we all need to stick to! I prefer the Piccabeen name, it sounds aussie to me!!

I don't know why there is'nt an abundance of these guys in S.Fla, i have many large specimens of both here in East Orlando and they're doing great! I just harvested seed from my Alaxandra palm a few days ago!

I can't wait to vacation in Australia and see these guys in their native habitat!