The Nypa palm is the only palm to be found in mangrove forests. Its fruit is in the form of an impressive spiky head, about the size of a soccer ball, which breaks up after it ripens.

Roots: No above-ground roots.

Leaves: A palm with large fronds that rise from the base of the plant and can be up to 9 m long.

Flowers and Fruit: Flowers are yellow and arranged in a clump on a stalk which rises from the base of the plant. The seeds which make up the buoyant fruit are often found on Queensland beaches.

Bark: None.

Similar species: None.

Location: Found upstream in rivers of the wet, tropical areas of north Queensland where there are low salinities and calm water.