Doryanthes Palmeri
Doryanthes palmeri
Doryanthes palmeri, the Giant Spear Lily, is the rarer and lesser-known of Australia's two Doryanthes species. Endemic to volcanic rainforest margins of north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland, it forms enormous rosettes of ribbed sword-like leaves and produces a drooping flower spike up to 5 metres tall carrying a spectacular elongated raceme of deep red flowers. Listed as Vulnerable, it symbolizes rare splendour, patient endurance, and the extraordinary scale of nature.
Doryanthaceae (Gymea Lily family; one of only two species in the family)
Spring (September to November in Australia); each rosette flowers only once in its lifetime; fire and full sun can stimulate and bring forward flowering
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: obedient plants and sea hollys also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Doryanthes palmeri was named in honour of Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer (1819 to 1898), a former Premier of Queensland, by the botanist Frederick Manson Bailey. Like its close relative D. excelsa, the species belongs to Doryanthaceae, a tiny flowering plant family endemic to the coast of eastern Australia containing only these two species. The species is listed as Vulnerable in New South Wales, where its wild populations are threatened by weeds, frequent fire, and illegal seed harvesting. It grows naturally on the basalt-derived volcanic soils of the Mt Warning Caldera, one of the most botanically diverse landscapes in Australia. The plant's most striking characteristic, its enormous rosettes and the dramatic downward curve of its flower-laden scape under the weight of its blooms, gives it a quality of graceful, bowing grandeur not found in any other plant. The fact that each individual rosette flowers only once, then gives way to a new generation of pups, imbues the flowering event with an emotional significance of once-in-a-lifetime beauty.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to light partial shade; full sun encourages earlier and more profuse flowering; plants grown in shade may not flower or may take much longer to reach flowering maturity
Water
Moderate; water regularly during the establishment period and during extended dry summer periods. The plant is a xerophyte, adapted to dry conditions, and rarely needs heavy watering once established. Avoid waterlogging. Leaves may yellow at temperatures above 40 degrees C; shade cloth and supplementary water help during extreme heat events.
Soil
Well-drained, Loamy, Volcanic Basalt-derived soils, Sandy Loam, Suitable for a wide range of nutrient-deficient soils in cultivation with added fertiliser
Expert Growing Tips
Plant in a large, open, sunny position in well-drained soil with room for the rosette to spread to 3 to 4 m in diameter
Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring and autumn as the plant responds well to supplementary nutrients in cultivation, unlike D. excelsa
Each rosette flowers only once in its lifetime, but after flowering it produces new side rosettes (pups) that can be detached and grown on as new plants
Propagate from seed (soak for 8 hours before sowing, or use smoke water treatment) or from division of root bulbs; seed germination is improved by smoke treatment
Remove old, dried leaves periodically to maintain a tidy appearance and reduce fire hazard in dry climates
In frost-prone areas, protect from hard frost; the plant is less cold-hardy than D. excelsa and performs best in subtropical or warm temperate climates
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Dramatic focal specimen in very large native, subtropical, and contemporary gardens
- Architectural rosette plant providing bold, year-round foliage interest even without flowers
- Wildlife garden attracting nectar-feeding birds, particularly when the pendulous flower raceme opens
- Large container growing; the plant can be maintained in containers of at least 60 cm diameter though potted plants may not flower
- Cut foliage for very large floral installations and commercial flower display
- Public park, botanic garden, and civic landscape plantings in subtropical climates
Traditional Uses
- Traditional food use by First Nations peoples of north-east NSW and south-east Queensland: roasted flower spikes were eaten as a food source
- Roots were mashed and made into starchy cakes, similar to the use of D. excelsa by Sydney Basin Aboriginal communities
- Leaves were used for weaving baskets and other items; the fibrous, ribbed leaf structure provides strong, durable weaving material
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Doryanthes Palmeri
How is Doryanthes palmeri different from Doryanthes excelsa?
While both are large Australian spear lilies with red flowers on tall scapes, several key differences distinguish them. D. palmeri has much larger leaves (up to 3 m long versus 1 to 2.5 m), produces an elongated drooping flower raceme rather than a compact terminal globe, and its scape arches downward under the weight of the flowers. D. excelsa's scape remains rigidly upright. D. palmeri is also naturally restricted to subtropical volcanic soils of north-east NSW and south-east Queensland, while D. excelsa grows on coastal sandstone near Sydney.
How long does Doryanthes palmeri take to flower?
Doryanthes palmeri can take over 13 years to flower from seed. Each individual rosette flowers only once in its lifetime and then progressively dies back while producing new side rosettes (pups) from its base. This monocarpic rosette behaviour, combined with the extraordinarily long wait until first flowering, makes any flowering event a true once-in-a-lifetime garden spectacle.
Is Doryanthes palmeri endangered?
Doryanthes palmeri is listed as Vulnerable under the New South Wales Threatened Species Act 1995. Its wild distribution is restricted to a small number of sites on the Mt Warning Caldera and McPherson Ranges in north-east NSW and adjacent south-east Queensland. The main threats to wild populations are weed invasion, inappropriate fire regimes, and illegal seed harvesting by collectors.
What does Doryanthes palmeri symbolize?
Doryanthes palmeri symbolizes rare splendour, patient endurance, and once-in-a-lifetime magnificence. The fact that each rosette flowers only once after many years of slow growth, then bows its massive scape under the weight of its blooms before giving way to a new generation, makes it a deeply moving symbol of the extraordinary reward that comes from patient perseverance.
Can Doryanthes palmeri be grown in a garden?
Yes, Doryanthes palmeri is grown as an ornamental in large subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It suits a very large, open, sunny position with well-drained soil and room for the rosette to reach 3 to 4 m in diameter. It is more tolerant of fertiliser and a wider range of soil types than D. excelsa, and it can also be grown in a very large container, though flowering is more likely in the ground. It does not tolerate frost.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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