Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) Archontophoenix cunninghamiana
Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Wet gullies and rainforest of coastal Queensland and New South Wales. It grows 12–20 m (39–66 ft) tall and 3–5 m (10–16 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
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Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 12–20 m (39–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 3–5 m (10–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Wet gullies and rainforest of coastal Queensland and New South Wales |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
| Invasive in | Brazil (Atlantic forest), Hawaii: check local rules before planting |
Is Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous; the fruit can irritate skin.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
Questions about Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm)
- How far apart should I plant Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm)?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 3–5 m (10–16 ft).
- Does Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm)?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) flower?
- About 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous; the fruit can irritate skin.
- What grows well with Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Bangalow palm (piccabeen palm). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- A slender feather palm with a smooth ringed trunk, a green crownshaft and hanging chains of lilac flowers, then bright red fruit loved by birds (which also spread it). Wants shelter and water; it grows in groves along creeks in its native rainforest.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Coconut palm Cocos nucifera
- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons