Linospadix monostachyaWalking Stick Palm A dainty palm from the understory of moist forests in eastern Australia, where it grows to altitudes of 1200 m (3900 ft.). It grows a solitary, slender, cane-like trunk with closely spaced nodes. The crown is made up of elegantly arching, irregularly pinnate leaves with a terminal leaflet pair that is shaped like a fishtail. Despite its tropical appearance, it is quite cold tolerant and can take an occasional freeze without trouble. It is best suited for the temperate garden without extremes of heat or cold and appreciates growing in the shade of an established canopy. Nearly a century ago, these palms were collected in great numbers from their native habitat for the manufacturing of walking sticks from their tough stems, from whence it derives its common name. |