Bangalow palm
Botanical Name
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Family
Arecaceae (palm)
Where is it originally from?
Australia
What does it look like?
Rainforest palm (<14 m tall) with strong arching fronds and a grey trunk with a uniform diameter and distinctive rings. Bright green leaves (2-4 m long), have leaflets with a prominent midrib on either side of the stem. New leaves are usually pink-red. From spring to summer, dark purple flowers (1 m) grow out from the base of an extension of growth (crownshaft) at the top of the trunk, developing into small (1.5 cm) green fruit which ripen to bright red in late summer to autumn.
Why is it weedy?
Self-fertile, setting large amounts of seed. It has the potential to establish in native plant habitats and has a similar habitat to nikau.
How does it spread?
Bird spread the seeds long distances. Also spread by water and gravity.
What damage does it do?
Forms stands crowding out native species.
Which habitats is it likely to invade?
Prefers habitats similar to those of nikau: gullies, stream banks, swampy areas. Grows readily in shaded area of canopy cover.
What can I do to get rid of it?
1. Pull out seedlings (all year round).
2. Cut and paint stump: 1-2mm layer glyphosate gel or glyphosate (50ml/100ml) ensuring rim of stump is covered.
3. Drill and fill: drill holes around trunk and fill with glyphosate (50ml/100ml).
4. Overall spray: glyphosate (20ml/L + penetrant).
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and directions for the purchase, use and storage of the product, are followed and adhered to.
What can I do to stop it coming back?
Keep checking for seedlings and pull out before they can establish.
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