Archontophoenix maxima
| Walsh River palm | |
|---|---|
| |
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 | |
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.
Description
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 Tablelands at approximately 17° South latitude.[4]
References
- ^ "Archontophoenix maxima". Wildnet. Queensland Government. 2025. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
- ^ "Archontophoenix maxima". Australian Plant Name Index (APNI). Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ "Archontophoenix maxima Dowe". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ a b F.A.Zich; B.P.M.Hyland; T.Whiffen; R.A.Kerrigan (2020). "Archontophoenix maxima". Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Edition 8 (RFK8). Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. Retrieved 12 November 2022.
- ^ Dowe, John L.; Hodel, Donald R. (1994). "A revision of Archontophoenix H.Wendl. & Drude (Arecaceae)". Austrobaileya. 4 (2): 227–244. JSTOR 41738856.
External links
Data related to Archontophoenix maxima at Wikispecies
Media related to Archontophoenix maxima at Wikimedia Commons- View a map of historical sightings of this species at the Australasian Virtual Herbarium
- View observations of this species on iNaturalist
- View images of this species on Flickriver