Tooth-edged palm leaf stem

The leaf stems of this particular type of palm tree in Queensland, although I have not been able to identify it to species yet, have these fearsome recurved teeth on both sides. I photographed the sharp ‘teeth’ or spines on the dead stems that still criss-crossed around the tree trunk. They remind me of the blades of double-edged hand saws, or even the jaw bone of some kind of shark. Pretty amazing anyway.

Close-up detail of the sharp teeth on a palm leaf stem

Sharp teeth on dead palm leaf stems still attached to the tree trunk

2 Replies to “Tooth-edged palm leaf stem”

centralohionature says:

November 21, 2013 at 2:08 am

A plant feature that really launches my imagination, wondering what their purpose was or is.

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winderjssc says:

November 21, 2013 at 8:49 am

I wonder if they evolved as some kind of defensive structure that would prevent animals from climbing the tree to get the fruits? I must get myself a book on palms and read it up.

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