Propagation
Collect and sow seed when ripe, keep moist, maintaining a temperature of 25şC (77ş F).

Germination normally takes 45 days and the viability period is short. Do not allow the seeds to dry out before sowing as this slows or inhibits germination.


Botanic information
Leaf: The dark green pinnate fronds have widely spaced leaflets that have a truncate toothed apex with a prominent mid rib and marginal veins. They are arranged some what alternately along the rachis in one plane and the slender petiole is up to 600mm (2ft) long.

Flower: The upright pannicle appears below the leaves on a short peduncle and has deciduous lanceolate bracts. The rachis is elongated and the branches are simple with the cyathiform flowers arranged in threes 2-male to 1-female.

The symmetrical male flowers have 3-imbricate sepals and 3-valvate petals with many stamens that have erect filaments and the pistillode is ovoid. The female flower has 3-imbricate sepals and petals and the pistil has 1-cell and ovule.

Fruit: The small ovoid to elliptical drupe has a thin red endocarp and the seeds have 3 to 5 longitudinal groves (sulcate) and have endosperm. The flowering and fruiting period may vary in tropical regions.