Areca spp. (back to Allergen page)

Common name: Palm tree, Palms

Cool climate palms There are many different varieties of palms in Australia. Although palms are thought of as tropical trees there are now cool climate palms such as-  Dwarf sugar palm (Arenga engler) : can be grown at temperatures as low as -7 degrees C.  Nikau palm (Rhopalostylis sapida) : likes growing in shady positions in a cold climate (as per the map below).

 Lady palm (Rhapis excelsa): These grow best in filtered light.  Wedding palm (Lytocaryum weddellianum previously known as Microcoelum weddellianum): Grows best away from direct sunlight in humid, coastal areas and will take frost and exposure to sun.  European fan palm (Chamaerops humilis): Best in sunny position and can tolerate cold down to -15°C.  Dypsis baronni: this palm can survive to -6°C  Walking stick palm (Linospadix monostachya): prefers a shady position in humid coastal areas. It will survive to -10°C.  Bismarck palm (Bismarckia nobilis): Grows well in tropical areas and down to -6°C*  Windmill palm (Trachycarpus fortunei): will tolerate either sun or shade

Warm climate palms  Kentia Palms (Howea forsteriana) grow naturally on Lord Howe Island and is an Australian native palm growing well in coastal areas, from the northern sub-tropics south to Melbourne. They can be grown almost anywhere as an indoor plant.  Howea belmoreana is a species of kentia palm and is found only on Lord Howe Island.  The Bangalow palm, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, is another Australian native plant often found in gardens. The Bangalow is native to parts of eastern Australia.

Bibliography: http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/1997/archives/27/in_the_garden/trees_and_palms/kentia_palms http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/1998/archive/26/in_the_garden/trees_and_palms/cool_climate_pa lms_and_ferns