Caryota urens

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  • Herbarium No: UPH NO. V--929.
  • Caryota urens
  • L.
  • Botanical Name/Scientific Name: Caryota urens
  • Genus: Caryota
  • Synonym: N.A.
  • Common/Local Name(s): Fishtail palm.
  • Family: Palmae
  • Botanical Description: Caryota urens is a solitary, fast-growing palm that can reach heights of up to 12-20 meters (39-65 feet) and a trunk diameter of up to 30 cm (12 inches). The trunk is straight and unbranched with a rough texture due to leaf scars. The leaves are bipinnate (feather-like) and resemble the tail of a fish, hence the name fishtail palm. They can be up to 6 meters (20 feet) long, with each leaflet having a jagged, triangular shape. The flowers are borne in large, hanging clusters (inflorescences) that emerge from the top of the trunk. Caryota urens is monocarpic, meaning it flowers once at the end of its life cycle and then dies. The flowers are unisexual, with both male and female flowers on the same inflorescence. The fruit is a drupe, about 1-2 cm in diameter, containing a single seed. The fruits are initially green but turn dark purple or black when ripe.
  • Flowering/Fruiting: Caryota urens can flower at any time of the year when it reaches maturity.
  • Plant Uses: Traditional Medicine, Crafts and Construction andOrnamental.
  • Origin: Introduced
  • Locality: Choba Rivers State.
  • Habit: Tree
  • Mode: Wild

Location on the map