Arenga listeri Becc.

A single-stemmed, monocarpic tree palm, 10–20 m high; trunk naked, erect; upper nodes with c. 5–7 inflorescence buds. Leaf pinnate; sheath to 1 m long, with tangled, brown, marginal fibres; petiole short; rachis c. 3–4 m long; pinnae solitary in juveniles, paired except 2 basal clusters of c. 4 in adults, to 90 cm long, greyish beneath. Inflorescences unisexual, panicle-like; females largest, to 2 m long; peduncle bracts 9–11. Male flowers paired; petals oblong, c. 7 mm long, obtuse, green, buff within; stamens many, reflexed, bright yellow. Female flowers solitary; petals triangular, c. 5 mm long; ovary large, exceeding petals. Fruit ellipsoidal, 13–17 mm long, fleshy, ripening through white to red.

Sometimes gregarious, forming almost pure stands on basaltic outcrops where there is usually more moisture in the soil, especially in the shorter forest onthe terraces. Also frequent as an undercanopy tree throughout the taller rainforest on the plateau and terraces, with the juveniles forming important elements of the shrub layer.

The growing point (or 'cabbage') used to be eaten by the Chinese mine workers. Arenga listeri features on a Christmas Island $1.20 postage stamp as part of a Christmas Island trees stamp set issued in 1991.