Propagation
Plant fresh seeds in a deep container to 150mm (6in) deep during spring, keep moist and maintain a temperature of 19º to 27ºC. (66º to 81ºF). 

Sporadic germination may take up to 2-3 months. Avoid allowing the seed to dry out before sowing.

Botanic information
Leaf: The dark green pinnate fronds have numerous pendant leaflets that are arranged in a single plane. The arching armed petiole is up to 600mm (2ft) long and the pale green crownshaft is up to 1.6m (5ft) long. There are normally 35 fronds that form an open rounded crown.

Flower: The 500mm (20in) long inflorescence appears below the crownshaft on a flattish ringed peduncle that tapers forming the mid-rib. There are numerous pendant side branches that may be divided again into slender rachillae. In bud the inflorescence is inclosed in 2-flattened spiny tubular bracts that are shed as the inflorescence opens. 

The small flowers are arranged in groups of 3 with 2-male and 1-female arranged in the lower part of the inflorescence. The upper part of the inflorescence consists of male flowers only. 

The male flower has 3-pointed sepals and 3-angled petals. It contains 6-12 stamens and a small sterile pistil. The smaller female flower has 3-sepals and 3-circular imbricate petals and contains a tiny stigma and has a 1-3 celled ovary. 

The flowering period is during spring but can vary in tropical regions and they may appear throughout the year.

Fruit: The globular drupe is purplish-black with a fleshy-fibrous mesocarp and contains a single seed with endosperm that is ruminate.