Walking Stick Palm

These little fellas love the shady understorey of subtropical rainforest and we spotted this one right near the giant water gum in Booyong flora reserve.

The English name actually comes from the long straight stem of the plant which was harvested post WW1 to make walking sticks for returned soldiers who were wounded. They would carve a hand grip from the root ball located at the base of the stem.

Local Aboriginal people – Booyong is located within the Bundjalung nation – were also thought to have incorporated the small native fruit into their diet as they provide a good source of vitamins.