A number of related Cabbage Palms inhabit tropical wet regions of Australia. These palms are particularly prominent in the closed tropical woodland regions of Cape York, Arnhem Land and the Kimberley. The trunk is straight and very rough. The long leaf stems often have recurved thorns on the underside. Each stem produces a large, tough, fan-shaped palm leaf.
The crisp white heart of the palm trunk, just below the apex or terminal bud, is edible raw or cooked. This pith has a slightly bitter, cabbage-like taste. Removing the terminal bud destroys the tree, however. These 'cabbages' were an . . .