Kerriodoxa elegans
Solitary tree palm, 1–4(–10) m tall. Stem procumbent, sometimes subterranean, only the very tall ones basally clean, closely ringed, 18–25 cm diam. Leaves 25–35 in crown; sheath 45–60 cm long; petiole 1.5–3 m long, dark green to black, unarmed but with sharp edges, blade up to 2 m diam., flattened, dark green and glabrous above, with dense white indumentum below, divided for 0.2–0.3 of its radius into 90–100 single-fold segments. Male inflorescence arching, peduncle to 30 cm long, rachis 15–20 cm long, first order branches 15–20, rachillae numerous, 10–15 cm long, flowers 0.25 x 0.3 cmlong; female inflorescence erect, peduncle to 30 cm long, rachis 35–40 cm long, rachillae numerous, to 12 cm long and zig-zag, flowers 0.5–0.6 mm long. Fruit 3.5–4(–5) cm diam., epicarp irregularly and minutely warty, cream-coloured turning orange yellow at maturity.
This palm is at the present well preserved within the boundaries of two National Parks. In Khao Phrae Thaeo non-hunting area it constitutes the dominant element in the forest undergrowth.
Narrowly restricted to two localities in southern Thailand: Khao Phrae Thaeo non-hunting area on Phuket and Khao Sok National Park.
Global — Endemic to Peninsular Thailand.
Thailand — PENINSULAR: Surat Thani, Phuket (DRANSFIELD 5121, holotype K).
Humid forest on hill slopes at elevations, to 300 m altitude, growing gregariously.
Ornamental.