Caryota urens L.
| Kannada Name : | - |
| Common Name : | Fishtail Palm |
| Family Name : | Arecaceae |
| Scientific Name : | Caryota urens |
| Species Type : | Indigenous |
| Phenology : | Evergreen |
| Conservation Status : | Least concern |
| Flowering Period : | January - April |
| Fruiting Period : | January - April |
| Origin : | Indian subcontinent |
Uses
Toddy is extracted from the inflorescence, and is considered some what powerful compared to toddy extracted from few other palm trees. Pulp of the fully grown up plant is cut, sun dried, powdered and is edible. The leaves possess strong fibres and are used for basketry.
Description
Trunk solitary, annulate, erect, up to 12 m tall. Leaves bipinnate, with a terminal leaflet, leaflets alternate, cuneate, fan-shaped, apex premorse. Inflorescence axillary, spadix and pendulous. Flowers unisexual and white. The fruit matures to a round drupe, red in color, juicy, irritant due to oxalate crystals, seeds 1-2.
