Palms   Hedyscepe canterburyana

Common Names: Umbrella Palm Big Mountain Palm Habitat: Forests, and exposed hilsides of Lord Howe Island, at around 600-700m altitude. Description: A medium sized palm, to about 10m tall, with a very closely ringed trunk, and a crown of short, silvery leaves. General: The habitat of Hedyscape canterburyana , known locally as the 'big mountain palm' is high up on the Lord Howe Island's two largest mountains, Mt. Lidgbird and Mt. Gower. We saw it on Mt. Gower at and above 400 metres. It has an attractive light bluish green cylindrical crownshaft. Ripe seed is large and bright red. An interesting feature is the presence on the same plant of seed at quite different stages of development. The lower bunches of seed are the most mature. Culture: Likes it fairly cool. Boyer (1992) reports that it can be expected to grow well in climates such as those of Sydney and Auckland.

Figure 1. H. canterburyana on Mt Gower, featuring seeds in 3 different stages of growth.

Figure 2. A rather spectacular H. canterburyana

Figure 3. H. canterburyana at The Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Figure 4. Close-up of the inflorescence.

Contributed by:	John and Jean Price (Figure 1) (from PALMS & CYCADS No. 57, Oct-Dec 1997).
	Chris King (Figure 2)
	Mike Gray (Figures 3&4).

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