Caryota mitis
Caryota mitis is a clustering palm species native to the tropical rain forests of southeast Asia, from India to Java to southern China. The light green leaflets are shaped like a fish’s tail fin, hence its common name, the “Fishtail Palm”
It grows to around 24 feet in height with up to a 7 foot spread on top. Each trunk produces flowers, with inflorescence starting from the top of the stem on mature plants. Subsequent flowering proceeds lower and lower down the stem. After the last flowering, the stem dies and should be removed. The clump will survive, however, and continue to produce more stems.
The red fruit produced by this palm contains oxalic acid (a chemical compound used in cleaning and metallurgy). which is toxic when ingested, and contact with skin may result in severe chemical burns. In India, an edible starch is extracted from the stem, and the palm heart is eaten. Like other palms, it is also tapped for sap which is made into palm sugar or fermented to make toddy. In India, the leaves are used for thatching or woven into household items: the fibers from the leaf sheath are made into rope, and seeds made into beads. However, the fruit and the whole plant can cause severe itching because they contain minute needle-like crystals.
There are 36 of this species growing in the Merwin Palm Collection.
Want to “virtually explore” the Merwin Palm Collection? Search through our archive of Palm Facts of the Week, featuring palms hand-planted by W.S Merwin. To search through the Online Merwin Palm Database, visit this link.
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