Propagation
Collect and sow seed when ripe, keep moist, maintaining a temperature of 19ş to 27ş C. (66ş to 81ş F) Germination normally takes up to 2-months and the viability period is short. Do not allow the seeds to dry out before sowing as this inhibits germination.


Botanic information
Leaf: The petiole is up to 1m (3ft) long and armed with sharp spines and the pinnate frond is divided into numerous linear leaflets up to 1m (3ft) long that droop at the tips. They are pale green underneath and are arranged in clusters on different planes.

Flower: The short inflorescence appears from the lower leaf bases on a spineless peduncle that becomes pendant and is divided into several slender pendant sided rachillae. In bud the inflorescence is inclosed in 2-persistant cylindrical woody bracts.

The small tubulate male and female flowers are arranged on the same inflorescence with a predominance of male flowers. The male flower has 3-sepals and 3-pointed petals that are united half way from the base. It contains 6-stamens and no sterile pistil.

The female flower has 3-sepals and 3-petals that are united into a fleshy tube. It contains a sessile stigma that has 3-lobes and has a 3-celled ovary with only 2-functioning. They appear during late winter.

Fruit: The ovoid peach-like drupe appear in pendulous clusters. It has a fleshy mesocarp and contains a hard seed with non-ruminate endosperm.