Snakeskin fishtail palm
Caryota ophiopellis
Family: Arecaceae
What it is like
A palm with a single stem. It grows 7-8 m high. The trunk is 30-40 cm across. The leaves are twice divided. The leaf stalks are 60-70 cm long. The leaf stalks have a banding like a snake skin. The flowering stalk branches. The flowering shoots carry both male and female flowers. The plants dies after flowering. The fruit are red when ripe. The seeds are 1 cm long and black.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in the lowland rainforest. It grows in the southern islands in Vanuatu on Tanna. It grows from sea level to 400 m altitude. It is often close to the ocean with salt spray and high winds. It is best grown in part shade. It needs a moist well drained soil.
Countries/locations it is found in
Pacific, Vanuatu
How it is used for food
The stem starch can be extracted and used as food.
Edible parts
Starch, shoots, cabbage, terminal buds
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seeds.
Its other names
Local names
Irejei, Nip, Nipitari, Snake skin palm