Stellenbosch University Botanical Garden, South Africa

Common name: Kentia-palm, Kentia palm, thatch palm

Family: Arecaceae (Palm)

Distribution: Lord Howe Island

Habitat: Coral sands and basaltic soils

IUCN Red list: Vulnerable

Life form: Palm

Usage: Horticultural, ornamental

Comments: This species is endemic to Lord Howe Island off the southeast coast of Australia. The Kentia palm is the predominant species on the island growing at low elevations close to sea level. The plant was quickly discovered to be a wonderful interior palm species. There is an active business of exporting seeds of H. forsteriana around the world from Lord Howea Island. The seed industry is strictly regulated, because this palm is listed as “vulnerable” by the IUCN.