Himalayan dwarf fishtail palm, Wallich's dwarf fishtail palm
Wallichia oblongifolia

Family: Arecaceae

What it is like

A small clustering palm. It grows 2 m tall. The fronds arch over. They have fishtail like leaflets. They are silvery white underneath. The leaves are arranged in spirals. There are 16 or 17 pinnae on each side of the stalk. The fruit are greenish-brown and 1.5 cm long.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in the Himalayas up to 1,600 m above sea level. It suits a warm, sheltered moist site. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Nepal, Northeastern India, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sikkim

How it is used for food

The stems are used for the preparation of an intoxicating drink. Starch is extracted from the stems and used as a famine food.

Edible parts

Stems - starch

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Tache

Synonyms

Harina densiflora (Mart.) Walp.; Harina oblongifolia (Griff.) Griff.; Wallichia caryotoides Wall., non Roxb.; Wallichia densiflora Mart.;