The Mangrove Fan Palm

Botanical Name : Licuala spinosa

Native to all South-east Asian countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines. The palm is so named, apparently it thrives in swampy, muddy conditions like the mangroves. A dynamic looking cluster palm, it's also known as the Spiny Licuala and the Good Luck Palm.  Oh yes, a thicket of luck will come in handy! 

The cluster of thin stems gives it a bushy look. Actually, this particular specimen is quite huge and wide so given the right conditions, it can grow quite tall too.  The leaves are almost circular in shape and made up of several broken pleated leaflets with squared ends.

spiny petioles

unbroken young leaf

                    

                                                                                                                

orange berries

Noticed the fresh young leaf appears almost a full fan shape, gently split into separate leaflets as it matures.  As yet, there are no sprigs of inflorescence nor red round fruits to be seen.  If one observes closely, the petioles are spiny, like the thorns in roses, throughout so have to be mindful when handling.

This specimen grown outdoors in full sun looks handsome and healthy.  Understand they do equally well in potted containers, albeit a little slow growing.

Nevertheless, my feeling is that palm lovers - growers and hobby enthusiasts alike, have loads of patience in their DNA department since that's almost a resolute primary requisite to own/grow any.