Johannesteijsmannia altifrons - Diamond Joey

Surely one of the most stunning and spectacular palms in the world, Johannesteijsmannia altifrons has large, simple, undivided leaves that can reach a length of more than 6 m (20 ft.), rising directly from an underground rootstock. These huge, very leathery, roughly diamond-shaped leaves are pleated along their length, giving the most bizarre appearance. The Joey grows in montane rainforest in S Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, at up to 1200 m (400 ft.). It is much tougher and more cool tolerant than one might expect, and will grow happily in the subtropics and, of course, any tropical climate, in a shady, wind-protected situation. It has been proven to do well, for instance, in coastal southern California, southern Spain, or southern Florida, and can even be kept as a striking indoor plant.