Livistona mariae
 
Common Names Central Australian Fan Palm, Red Cabbage Palm, Palm Valley Palm
 
Zones 9b–11
 
A rare, solitary fan palm endemic to the Finke River system in the MacDonnell Ranges of Central Australia, Livistona mariae is adapted to arid conditions and sandstone gorges. It features a tall, slender trunk and a crown of rigid, glaucous-green leaves with reddish undersides in juvenile stages. This species is functionally dioecious and slow-growing, with a limited natural population confined to Palm Valley and Little Palm Creek.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Up to 100 ft (30 m); trunk diameter 12–16 in (30–40 cm)
Trunk: Gray; leaf scars stepped and raised; petiole stubs persistent only in lower 3 ft (1 m)
Leaves: Costapalmate; circular; 3–7 ft (1–2.2 m) wide; 50–86 segments; rigid and coriaceous; adaxially gray-green, abaxially waxy light green
Petioles: 5–8 ft (1.5–2.5 m) long; armed with small curved black spines near base
Inflorescence: Up to 8 ft (2.5 m) long; branched to 4 orders; cream to yellow flowers in clusters
Fruit: Globose; semi-glossy black; 0.5–0.7 in (12–18 mm) diameter
Ecology: Confined to permanent watercourses and sandstone gorges at 2,000 ft (600 m) elevation; total wild population ~2,000 individuals
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained; sandy or rocky; alkaline to neutral
Temperature: Hardy to ~25°F (–4°C); tolerates extreme heat
Humidity: Low to moderate
Propagation: By seed; slow germination
Tolerance: High drought and heat tolerance; sensitive to overwatering
 
Landscape Use Ideal for xeric landscapes, desert gardens, and Australian native plantings. Pairs well with Cycas angulata, Brachychiton rupestris, and Eucalyptus pachyphylla.