Fishtail Palm

The Fishtail Palm is an eye catching clustering
specimen palm. It is suitable for sub-tropical and
tropical climates and will do well in containers or
indoors. Of the tribe Caryoteae, and subfamily
Arecoideae it is also known by the botanic name
Caryota mitis. Clustering Fishtail Palms are native
to Southeast Asia.

common Name: Fishtail Palm

Botanical Name: Caryota mitis

Subfamily: Arecoideae

Plant Type: Clustering specimen tree.

Origin: Southeast Asia

Zones: 10 - 11

Height: 30'

Rate of Growth: Fast

Salt Tolerance: Moderate

Soil Requirements: Widely adaptable

Water Requirements: Moderate drought tolerance

Nutritional Requirements: Moderate

Light Requirements: Moderate, High

Form: Clustering. Each stem with 8-10 leaves.

Leaves: Bipinnately compound, induplicate; leaflets
composed of about 12 secondary asymmetric,
triangular leaflets irregularly toothed at tip.

Inflorescence: 1-2' long, composed of numerous
pendulous branches.

Fruits: Dark red to black at maturity.

Pests or diseases: Fungal leaf spots and moderate
susceptibility to lethal yellowing.

Uses: Clustering specimen palm

Bad Habits: Irritant -- the fruit, leaves and juices
contain calcium oxylate crystals that are extremely
irritating to the skin, eyes and mucus membranes.