Archontophoenix (Arecaceae) description of species and notes

Abstract

Of the nine endemic genera of palms that occur in Australia, Archontophoenix is the most diverse with six species. The genus is mainly confined to high rainfall areas, most often in well-developed rainforest, and is intolerant of fire or extended drought. Although predominantly tropical, one species extends to warm temperate Australia. Some of the tropical species occur at relatively high altitudes, in cool wet conditions, and may represent evidence of relictual distribution patterns. Fossil evidence suggests that Arecoid palms were once widespread across southern Australia, but whether they can be directly related to extant genera such as Archontophoenix cannot be verified at present.