Fish Tail Palm

Fish Tail Palm
Caryota mitis
Family: Arecaceae (Palmae)
Common Name: Clustered Fishtail Palm, Burmese Fishtail Palm, Tukas, Fishtail Palm, Rabok, Rebuk, Meridin, Common Fishtail Palm, Dudok, merdin
Origin: Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand & India
Leaf Colour: Green
Fruit Colour: Red
General Facts:
· known as fishtail palms because of the shape of their leaves
· only palm with leaves that are subdivided twice
· unique way of flowering: the first flowering mop-like cluster emerges from the top of a mature palm, subsequent clusters emerge below and so on. When the cluster reaches the ground, the palm dies.
· reproduces from numerous suckers growing from the base
· grows commonly in secondary forests
· flowers appear in threes, one female flower in between two male ones

Food Facts:
· In India, an edible starch is extracted from the stem, and the palm heart eaten.
· Like other palms, it is also tapped for sap which is made into palm sugar or fermented to make toddy (palm wine) – drink common in various parts of Asia and Africa

Interesting Facts:
· Avoid contact with the red fruit produced by this palm. It contains oxalic acid which is toxic when ingested, and contact with skin may result in severe chemical burns.