Your Source for Gardening in the Sunshine State!
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.
Plant Facts:
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.
Cost: $$ - $$$ -- reasonable to expensive
Propagation: Seed, germinates in 3-4 months.
Sources: 
Betrock's Guide to Landscape Palms
©1999 Florida Gardener. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated 06/03/08