Caryota mitis

Common names

Clustering Fishtail Palm.

Curiosities

Has many uses: to make sugar, to obtain sago,... ‘Mitits’ means lacking spines. Fruits contain calcium oxalates that cause burning in contact with skin.

Origin

Nicobar Islands, Burma, Java, Sumatra…

Habitat

Rainforest at low altitude and marshy forests.

Morphology

Can be differentiated from C. urens, another commonly cultivated Caryota, because of its clumping habit. Can reach 5 m tall in tropical areas. Leaves more than 3 m long. Inflorescences 30 to 40 cm long. Fruits are rounded and black, around 1.2 cm in diameter. Monoecious. Long-lived but monocarpic, plant dies after producing inflorescence with flowers and fruits.

Climate

Tropical, subtropical and in sheltered positions of temperate climate. This palm has tolerated temperatures down to –3.2ºC (26.2ºF, USDA Zone 9b).

Germination

Seeds may take around 6 months to germinate, although the plant appears after 12 months. Can be vegetatively propagated by suckers.

Growing

Widely cultivated both as indoor and outdoor plant. Easily adapts inside (especially young plants) and is often seen in U.S.A., in houses and commercial centres. Avoid dust and drought. Responds positively to high nitrogen fertilizers. Tolerates sun and grows fast if watered regularly. Needs a well-drained soil and plenty of water.