Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Streptophyta

Class: Equisetopsida

Subclass: Magnoliidae

Order: Arecales

 Family: Arecaceae

 Genus: Caryota

Species: Caryota urens

Description: Fishtail palm is a fast growing feather palm that makes a beautiful addition to the landscape. It has a gray trunk (grows to about 30') that is covered by regularly spaced leaf scar rings. Toddy palm has a leaf shape that resembles the lower fin of a fish. When these palms grow to reach 20', they start producing flowers at the top of the trunk with subsequent flowers produced lower and lower on the trunk. When the lowest flower blooms, the tree dies. Flowers are long plait like bunches hanging down. Toddy palm is an Asian species that grows from India to Burma and on the island country of Sri Lanka.

Uses: The fibers are manufactured into ropes, brushes, brooms, baskets.

From the pith a good variety of "sago" is obtained which is highly nutritious.

Toddy is also obtained from this palm.

Terminal bud is edible.