Kentia palms, the classic indoor plants of the Victorian era, adorned palm courts and even the Titanic. Queen Victoria was so fond of them that she requested they be placed around her coffin. These iconic plants trace their origins to a single remote source: Lord Howe Island, a tiny speck off Australia's east coast.
Lord Howe Island, only 11km long, is a world heritage site renowned for its unique flora and fauna. Nearly half of its plant species, including the Kentia palm, are found nowhere else on Earth. The island's centrepiece is Mount Gower, a rugged peak shrouded in mist, home to a cloud forest with rare palms, orchids, and twisted trees draped in mosses and lichens, about 85% of which are endemic.
The island's pristine condition is maintained through strict conservation measures. In the 1950s, visitor numbers were capped at 400 at a time to prevent over-development. Biosecurity is rigorous: all arrivals and cargo are inspected by sniffer dogs to keep out pests and diseases. This careful stewardship ensures the survival of the Kentia palm and the island's unique ecosystem.
