Hello, I looked up information about Archontophoenix cunninghamiana recently and I saw a lot of sites calling it the King Palm, yet, I thought Archontophoenix alexandrae was the King Palm? How do I tell these two palms apart and what's different about them? I am wanting to some day get a Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, but I'm afraid I'll get something else or a hybrid. 

Easiest way to tell is that Archontophoenix alexandrae has silver underneath the leaflets and cunninghamiana is green.

A cunninghamiana also has ramenta (little hairy fibres) on the undersides of the leaflets whereas alexandrae does not. Cunninghamiana crownshaft tends to be speckled with brownish spots whereas alexandrae tends to be a consistent like green or even silvery light green sometimes. Cunninghamiana fronds tends to droop a bit more while alexandrae is slightly more stuff and upright, although that growth habit can be a result of growing conditions as well (shade vs sun). Cunninghamiana has purple flowers while alexandrae’s are cream/white. 

Disregard the coconut:

Is this Cunninghamiana?:

While these are Alexandrae?:

 

 

Edited March 10, 20197 yr by Cluster

In addition to the above comments. Alexander has a smooth bright green crownshaft and wider more upright and stiff fronds. Cunninghamiana has a multicolored grass to olive green crownshaft with brown scales

Edited March 11, 20197 yr by James B

Also Alexander will take alot more water, I've also seen them growing in water! 

 

On 3/11/2019 at 10:53 AM, Cluster said:

Disregard the coconut:

Is this Cunninghamiana?:

While these are Alexandrae?:

 

 

Yep I’d say you’re right with both IDs. 

J.L. Dowe. 2010. Australian Palms