Archontophoenix maxima

Archontophoenix maxima, commonly known as the Walsh River palm or Oaky Creek Archontophoenix, is a large tree of the palm family Arecaceae. It is endemic to Queensland, Australia, and was first described in 1992.

Walsh River palm
Conservation status
Least Concern (NCA)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Genus:	Archontophoenix
Species:	A. maxima
Binomial name
Archontophoenix maxima Dowe[2][3]

Description

Juvenile A. maxima

The Walsh River palm grows up to 22 m (70 ft) tall; the trunk is up to 30 cm (12 in) and has an expanded base. The erect to horizontal fronds are up to 4 m (13 ft) long, and are slightly rotated around the long axis. The massive branched inflorescence is up to 1.5 m (5 ft) long and bears white flowers. When ripe, the fruit is red and 13–15 mm (0.5–0.6 in) in length. The flowers closely resemble those of A. alexandrae.^[4][5]

Distribution and habitat

This robust palm grows in rainforest at altitudes between 800 and 1,200 m (2,600 and 3,900 ft) on the Walsh River and the adjacent Mount Haig Range in the Atherton Tableland at approximately 17° S latitude.^[4]