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 6-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 costapalmate fronds are up to 3m (10ft) in diameter and are divided into 80-pointed 1-ribbed segments that extend half way into the frond. The petiole is up to 1.5m (5ft) long and armed with spines and the frond colour is blue-green to grey-green.

Flower: The small cyathiform male flowers have 3-sepals and petals with 6-stamens and are arranged in a thick dense spike that is up to 1.5m (5ft) long.

The large female flowers have 3-sepals and petals with a 3-celled ovary and are spirally arranged in a pendent panicle that is up to 300mm (1ft) long. They appear on different plants (dioecious) amongst the foliage from late winter to early spring.

Fruit: The large globular yellow-green drupe contains 3-seeds that are enclosed in a separate woody endocarp and surrounded by fibrous mesocarp. The endosperm is non-ruminate and each seed has a cavity.