SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 8602.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "8602" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

fishtail palm

Scientific Name: Caryota

Family: Arecaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Fishtail Palm: A Tropical Beauty

The Fishtail Palm, known for its distinctive foliage, brings a touch of the tropics to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Its unique leaf shape and relatively easy care make it a popular choice for plant enthusiasts.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions "Fishtail palm poisoning information," indicating potential toxicity concerns.
  • Large leaves have jagged edges.

Considerations for Children

  • Large leaves have jagged edges.

Scientific Name and Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Caryota (genus)
  • Common Names: Fishtail Palm, Clustered Fishtail Palm, Burmese Fishtail Palm, Fish Tail, Miniature Fishtail Palm, Clumping Fishtail Palm, Tufted Fishtail Palm, Hawaiian Fishtail Palm, Giant Fishtail Palm, Chinese Fishtail.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • The text mentions Caryota as the genus.
  • Caryota mitis and Caryota urens are mentioned as specific species.
  • Caryota spp. is used to refer to multiple species within the genus.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Asia, including China and India.
  • Found from Cape York through Southeast Asia.
  • Grows in rainforests at varying altitudes.
  • Caryota mitis originates from the tropical rainforests of South-East Asia.
  • The Chinese fishtail is found in northern and warmer parts of New Zealand.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Named for leaves shaped like a fishtail. Ultimate leaflets have a shape somewhat like a fishtail.
  • Leaves are doubly compound and can measure over 8 feet long.
  • Fishtail palms form multi-stemmed clusters, up to 25 ft (8 m) high and 12 ft (4 m) wide, but the giant fishtail palm grows to about 30'.
  • Each slender stem is topped with several bipinnate leaves.
  • May produce suckers from the base.
  • Leaves are described as having jagged edges.
  • Fishtails are clustering palms that grow dense and full.

Quirky Facts

  • The specific epithet urens means "stinging," and the fruit of Caryota urens contains something that stings.
  • Fishtail Palm seeds resemble Bob Marley's hair.
  • One writer described caryota mitis as "a Southern belle dressed in lots of ruffles".

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Subject to Bacterial Leaf Blight caused by Pseudomonas avenae.

Resources and Further Information

  • HousePlant411.com
  • RHS (Royal Horticultural Society)
  • Fact Sheet ST-124. November 1993. Caryota spp.
  • Lowes.com
  • Houzz.com