Giant fishtail palm
Caryota no

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A large fishtail palm. Plants can be 25 m tall. The trunk can be 50 cm across. The trunk is grey and stout. It has distinct rings. It bulges. The fronds slightly arch over. They are 5 m long and 4 m wide. The leaflets hang down. The leaf bases usually hide the trunk. The leaflets are triangle shaped and 30 cm long. The flowering stalk can be 2.5 m long. The flowers are cream coloured. The fruit are large and black. Each fruit contains 2 seeds.

There are 12 Caryota species. They are tropical.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is a native of Borneo. It suits the tropical lowlands. It needs humus rich, well drained soil. It can grow in full sun or light shade. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, SE Asia

How it is used for food

The stem starch is edible. The palm heart is edible.

Edible parts

Stem starch, palm heart, cabbage

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Entibap mudol

Synonyms

Caryota rumphiana var. borneensis;