Palms   Hydriastele ramsayi in habitat

H. ramsayi in Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia This is a majestic palm that grows in open woodland under extreme heat conditions. When we were there, we measured the temperature and humidity with a highly accurate electronic scientific thermometer. At the time it was 39°C (102°F) with 40% relative humidity ...stifling temperatures. Everything was hot to the touch, and the ground temperature was way in excess of 50°C (120°F). The wet season is still another month away, so the landscape is not as green as it can be, but some recent showers have taken away the scorched look. These palms were growing in almost pure sand, and could be found in all stages of development, from seedlings, through to young plants, juveniles and age-old monsters. Anyway, here are a few photos to give you a better idea of the growing conditions and the natural beauty of these palms.

Figure 1. H. ramsayi

Figure 2. Young H. ramsayi . Note the recurved leaves.

Figure 3. H. ramsayi

Figure 4. H. ramsayi

Figure 5. H. ramsayi

Figure 6. H. ramsayi

Figure 7. H. ramsayi showing the effect of bushfires.

Figure 8. H. ramsayi seedlings in habitat. Note the glaucous leaves.

Contributed by:	Daryl O'Connor (Text & Figure 1,2,5,7&8)
	Colin Wilson (Figure 3&4).
	Wal Donovan (Figure 6)