Caryota mitis

Fishtail palm
Caryota mitis

Gracefully arching overhead are the tall fronds of this distinctive palm, with each leaflet resembling the tail fin of a fish. In common with most of the 13 species in the genus, all of which have fishtail leaves, it grows in clumps with suckers arising from the base.

These plants are monocarpic, which means that they flower and fruit only once and then the plant dies back – but can regenerate from such suckers. This habit has caused C. mitis to become an invasive weed in parts of Florida where it was introduced as an initially attractive inclusion in the landscape. This species is native to Burma.

This post is part of The World of Palms Glasshouse Trail