SafePlants

Burmese Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis)

Considerations for Pets

• The plant has ragged-edged leaflets.
• The plant produces fruit.

Considerations for Children

• The plant has ragged-edged leaflets.
• The plant produces fruit.

Common Names

• Burmese fishtail palm
• Clustering fishtail palm
• Clumped fishtail palm
• Clustered fishtail palm
• Fish tail palm
• Fishtail palm
• Miniature fishtail palm
• Rabok/Tukas (Malay)

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Caryota mitis L.
• Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
• Synonyms: The text also mentions Caryota cumingii and Caryota gigas as other species of Fishtail Palm.

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Southeast Asia, from India to Java and southern China.
• Specifically mentioned locations include Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Borneo, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.
• Grows in rainforests of varying altitudes.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Named for the unique shape of its leaves, resembling a fishtail.
• A multi-trunked palm that grows in clusters.
• Can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors.
• Reaches a size of up to 30 ft.
• Trunk is slender, growing up to 25 feet tall.
• Pinnate leaves.
• Monoecious (having both male and female reproductive organs on the same plant).

Ecological Role

• Now sparingly naturalized beyond its native range.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Prone to damage caused by spider mites, scale insects, nutrient deficiencies, and fungal leaf spots.

Quirky Facts

• According to the text "When the lowest flower blooms, the tree dies." However, the text mentions that this refers to the "Giant Fishtail Palm", implying the Burmese Fishtail Palm does not always die after the lowest flower blooms.

Further Information

• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
• Discover Life