Palms   Johannesteijsmannia magnifica

Common names: Silver Joey Distribution: Southern Peninsular Malaya. Habitat: Rainforest Description: As the name suggests this is a magnificent plant, not just one of the finest palms, but also one of the most spectacular plants around. It is a trunkless palm, with enormous spear shaped, entire leaves up to 3 metres long, (the first metre of which is petiole) and up to 2 metres wide. The underside is covered in fine white hairs which give it a silvery appearance. These leaves arch over and leave any viewer with an unforgettable sight.

Figure 1. J. magnifica

General:
These palms are only just coming into general cultivation, but because of their spectacular appearance, are becoming extremely sought after. A mature specimen in the Flecker Gardens in Cairns has caused such an impression that these plants sell out almost as soon as they become available in North Queensland.

Cultivation:
Warm, sheltered, shady, and moist, but well drained. Keep out of the wind. They are quite amenable to cultivation, with plants growing very happily as far south as Brisbane. Frost sensitive.

Figure 3. J. magnifica showing the spectacular undersides of the leaf.

Figure 4. A very large J. magnifica in habitat,
Jeram Tai Park, Peninsular Malaya.

Contributed by:

Mike Gray (Figure 1,2,3&4)

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