[5] There is also a single confirmed sighting of the black palm from Moa Island in the Torres Strait, which is roughly 695 km (432 mi) north of Rossville.

[12][13] The buds and new shoots can be eaten and a fibre made from the crownshafts was used as a string to tie spear heads to the shafts, fish traps and cradles.

[13] In the IUCN's Red List, this species is assessed as vulnerable,[2] but in the Australian state of Queensland (where the plant is endemic) it is considered to be of least concern.

[2] While much of the area where it grows is protected under both Queensland's National Park system and the World Heritage listing, there is also a significant portion of lowland rainforest that is privately owned, uncleared land, and which has an uncertain future in regard to the preservation of the natural habitat.

[14] Normanbya normanbyi is visually very similar to the very popular Foxtail palm (Wodyetia bifurcata) but is not as widely planted as the latter.