Species

Melanoselinum decipiens

Etymology

decipiens: deceptive

Common Name(s)

parsnip palm

Family

Apiaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Herbs other than Composites

Similar Taxa

Spreading crown of leaves and stout woody stem; stems up to 2m high and 4cm diameter; woody and leafless in lower parts with distinct leaf scars; stems have pith in the centre and are hollow in parts; flowers are numerous, white to purplish; fruit are dark brown 12-18mm long (Webb et al., 1988).

Flower Colours

Violet / Purple,White

Year Naturalised

1969

Origin

Madeira (Portugal)

Life Cycle and Dispersal

Long-lived seed bank - more than a year (Carol West, pers. comm.). Biennial or perennial (Webb et al., 1988).




This page last updated on 30 Jul 2014