Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Piccabeen palm
Overview
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana is a tall single-trunked feather palm reaching 50-80 feet (15-25 m) in habitat, though commonly 20-40 feet (6-12 m) in cultivation, with a slender grey trunk 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) in diameter ringed by old leaf scars. A smooth green crownshaft about 24-39 inches (60-100 cm) long sits at the top of the trunk, from which arch 8-12 pinnate fronds, each 8-15 feet (2.5-4.5 m) long with many drooping leaflets. The leaflets are green above and grey-green beneath. Branched flower clusters emerge below the crownshaft, hanging 24-39 inches (60-100 cm) long and carrying small lilac to mauve flowers. These are followed by rounded fruits 0.4-0.6 inches (10-15 mm) across that ripen from green to red. Growth is fast in warm, moist conditions, with several new fronds each year. The palm has a single growing point, so damage to the crown kills the plant. Shallow roots and a tall, slender trunk make exposed specimens prone to wind damage.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, in the coastal rainforests and along streams of New South Wales and Queensland. Grows in moist, humus-rich soils in gullies, on floodplains, and beside watercourses, often in colonies, from sea level to about 3,900 feet (1,200 m).Suggested Uses
Planted as a specimen and in groups in tropical and subtropical gardens, along driveways, and beside ponds, spaced 8-15 feet (2.4-4.5 m) apart. It grows in large containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L) when young and is used indoors in bright, humid interiors, though it outgrows pots within a few years. The red fruit draws fruit-eating birds, which also spread seedlings into surrounding ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height20' - 80'
Width/Spread10' - 15'
Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly in summer and autumn, though established palms can flower in more than one season each year in warm climates. Each hanging cluster carries flowers over several weeks, and fruit then ripens over a further few months. Cool conditions slow both flowering and fruit development.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
lilac to mauveFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to part shade in deep, moist, humus-rich soil, with young palms tolerating more shade than mature ones. Water regularly, as the species needs consistent moisture and browns at the frond tips during drought. Soils should drain freely despite the high moisture demand, since stagnant waterlogging harms the roots. Frost damages the fronds, and temperatures below about 28F (-2C) can kill young palms, limiting outdoor growth to frost-free or nearly frost-free zones. Old fronds drop cleanly from the crownshaft and need no removal. Potassium deficiency, showing as yellowing and spotting on older fronds, occurs on sandy soils.Pruning
Pruning is limited to removing dead or fully browned fronds, which separate cleanly from the crownshaft. Green fronds are left in place, as over-trimming reduces the crown and weakens the palm. Cutting the single growing point kills the palm, as it cannot regrow from a damaged crown.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons