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.

Cost: $$ - $$$ -- reasonable to expensive

Propagation:  Seed, germinates in 3-4 months.