General information: The Clustering Fishtail palm is a monoecious Florida palm tree. It grows up to a height of 20-25 feet. The clustering Florida palm produces numerous slender suckers growing from the base. The leaves are bipinnate, triangular, shaped like fishes tails. After the last flowering the blooming trunk will die, but other stems will survive and continue to produce new suckers. In native locations the palm heart is used as food, and the sap is made into palm sugar and toddy.

Additional Information:

Common names: Burmese Fishtail palm

Growth rate: It has fairly fast growth rate.

Habitat: The Caryota mitis is native to India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and other countries in Southeast Asia. It can be found in tropical rain forests in Southeastern Asia.

Maintenance: These Florida palms are very easy to care for. They grow well in shade to full sun. They require lots of water and good drainage. They are not cold hardy but can tolerate light frost. The Fishtail palms are highly drought tolerant.

Uses: These species are invasive in South Florida. They are often used as screening plants in landscapes. They are also very ofen used as ornamental pot plants. These Florida palm trees make great interior plants.

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