Ptychosperma elegans Blume

Solitary palm to 12 m tall; trunk to 12 cm diam. Leaves 6–11, to 3.3 m long; leaf sheath to 65 cm long, green with moderate whitish tomentum, and dark scales aggregated at apex and on base of petiole. Pinnae 30–60 each side of rachis, regularly arranged, to 84 cm long, dark green adaxially, lighter green abaxially. Inflorescence to 70 cm long; axes green; rachillae erect to semi-pendulous; rameal bracts reduced to scars. Staminate flower to 8 mm long, to 4 mm diam.; stamens 12–22. Fruit ovoid to globose, to 20 mm long, to 12 mm diam., red. Seed to 11 mm long, to 7.5 mm diam.; endosperm ruminate.

A tropical plant. It grows in the rainforest in NE Queensland, in Australia. They will grow in the subtropics. It needs well drained soil. It can grow in part shade or full sun. It suits seasonally moist and dry climates. In the Cairns Botanical Gardens. In Townsville palmetum. They are sensitive to frost. It suits plant hardiness zones 10-11.

The young unexpanded leaves are eaten as a vegetable. The flesh of the red fruit is edible.

Plants are grown from fresh seed. Seed is produced in large quantities and grows readily. Seed germinate in 5-6 months. They need protection from direct sunlight for the first 2-4 years. Seedlings transplant easily.