This palm has an upright ringed, blackish tapering smooth trunk that is swollen at the base and a rounded crown. The feathery-like arching fronds have dark green wedge-shaped leaflets and the whitish cup-shaped flowers appear in a cluster in summer.

Hardiness zones 10 to 12 

Normanbya normanbyi is naturally found in Australia in north-eastern Queensland growing in lowland rainforests along watercourses in moderate fertility gravelly alluvial soils that are boggy to well drained. It prefers a semi-shaded to full sun with wind, frost and drought protection and requires a high rainfall.

Black Palm is an attractive palm that is grown for its feathery foliage and its darkish trunk. It is planted in tropical or sub-tropical parks gardens in gully settings and as a specimen or in group plantings along borders. It is also grown as a container plant when young and in cool climates it is a conservatory specimen. It establishes from seed in 3 to 5 years. ID 1550

Note:
The hard timber of the trunk is used by Aborigines to make spears. 

Normanbya (nor-MAN-bee-ah) normanbyi (nor-MAN-bee-eye)

Arecaceae (ar-ek-AY-see-ee)	
(Palmae)
Palm Family