Caryota rumphiana

Becc

Fishtail palm

Arecaceae Edible: Pith, Starch, Fruit, Cabbage, Growing tip Potential hazards — see below 18 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Caryota rumphiana, whose common names include the fishtail or Albert palm, is a Caryota or fish tail palm (Family Palmae or Arecaceae). It is native to Philippines, Sulawesi, Maluku, New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Bismarck Archipelago. Its leaves have a distinctive fishtail shape and its flowers have been described as mop-like. It is monocarpic. These leaves are bipinnate with as many as 1,800 fan-shaped or wedge-shaped leaflets, each up to 15 inches (38 centimeters) long by six inches (15 cm) wide.

Description

A spineless palm with delta shaped leaflets. It grows to a height of 18 m and spreads to 5 m across. The stem is slender and erect. The leaflets are bipinnate (Two branches on the leaves) and the whole leaf is up to 5-6 m long and 3-4 m wide. The leaves have irregular teeth on the edges towards the top. The leaves arch over. The flowers are purple and yellow-green. They occur on long spikes. These can be 3 m long. These fruiting stalks are stout. Long chains of fruit hang from near the leaves along this stalk. The fruit are bluish. The fruit irritate the skin of people.

Edible Uses

The pith of the young trunk is eaten as heart cabbage. The trunk can be pounded to extract sago starch or used to cultivate sago grubs. The fruit are eaten after prolonged boiling.

Traditional Uses

The pith of the young trunk is eaten (Heart cabbage) The trunk is sometimes used to pound for sago starch. The trunk is also used to cultivate sago grubs. The fruit are eaten after a long time of boiling. CAUTION The juice of the fruit can irritate the skin

Known Hazards

The fruit skin irritates the skin on contact. The sap and juice of the fruit contain irritant crystals.

Distribution

A tropical plant. The palm is common and widespread at low elevations in Papua New Guinea. It grows up to at least 1200 m altitude. It will grow on most soils. It needs a protected, warm, moist position. It is sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.

Where It Grows

Asia, Australia, East Timor, Indonesia, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste,

Cultivation

It grows wild. It can be grown from seeds. Seed need to be sown while fresh. Seed can take 6-12 months to germinate.

Propagation

Seed - sown fresh, it takes 1 - 3 months to germinate. Young plants can be placed in their permanent positions when about 1 year old, by which time they can be 150 - 200cm tall.

Other Uses

The leaf sheath fibre ('kittul') from plants in this genus is durable and is often harvested as a source of thatch, cordage, and to make brushes and brooms. The fibre becomes very pliable after being steeped in linseed oil. The woolly hairs on the leaf sheaths, petioles and rachis can be used as tinder or as wadding. They may also be used to caulk wooden boats. The finer fibre can also be spun into fishing lines or coarse threads for sewing. The outer part of the trunk is split and made into very durable slat flooring.

Production

Using the cabbage or growing tip kills the palm.

Other Information

A common palm in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea but only of minor importance as a food. It has cultural significance in some areas e.g. Kaluli near Mt Bosavi.

Notes

There are 12 Caryota species. They are tropical. Caution: The sap from the fruit contains irritant crystals.

Synonyms

Caryota rumphiana var. moluccana Becc,Caryota rumphiana var. papuana Becc.

Also Known As

Doba, Kaapi, Palem nibung besar, Sabo, Sampul, Takipan

References (30)

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Baker, W.J. and Dransfield, J., 2006, Field Guide to Palms of New Guinea. Kew p 38
Barfod, A.S., Banka R., and Dowe, J. L., 2001, Field Guide to Palms in Papua New Guinea. AAU Reports 40 Department of Systematic Botany University of Aarhus. Denmark. p 37
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 219
Borrell, O.W., 1989, An Annotated Checklist of the Flora of Kairiru Island, New Guinea. Marcellin College, Victoria Australia. p 37

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