Atherton Palm

The Atherton Palm (Laccospadix australasicus) is a clustering feather palm native to the wet tropical rainforests of northeastern Queensland. Its arching fronds carry reddish young leaves, yellow flowers and pendulous spikes of bright red fruit. [Kew](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:667766-1) accepts the species and records its Queensland range; [Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria](https://hortflora.rbg.vic.gov.au/taxon/adad4fce-5340-11e7-b82b-005056b0018f) describes trunks to about 10 feet and leaves to 8 feet long; [PACSOA](https://www.pacsoa.org.au/wiki/index.php/Laccospadix_australasicus) reports plants can reach about 26 feet in warm, sheltered, moist conditions, making this a striking specimen for a frost-free garden or large indoor setting. ## Maintenance Keep it warm, sheltered and consistently moist in active growth, with good drainage around the roots. Protect from frost; in cool climates, grow it under cover as an indoor specimen. Remove only fully spent fronds and avoid cutting healthy foliage.