Caryota albertiiPalmpedia Palm

Description

The Australian Fishtail Palm, is a fast growing single trunked palm, Stem 10-18 m. tall, and up to 45 cm. in diam., breast high. Dark tan to grey, with widely spaced rings. Crownshaft absent. The leaf crown is large with 3-7 m. long, bipinnate dark green leaves, somewhat glaucous on abaxial surface. Petiole unarmed and up to 90 cm. long. The pinnae are linearly obdeltoid, to nearly linear, plicate, oblique, and with jagged apices, up to 58 cm. long and pendulous. Inflorescence pendulous, 1.5-2.0 m. long, many branched, spikes with yellowish cream colored flowers. Two male flowers, and a single female flower grouped together. Outer segments of the male flower imbricate, rotund, ciliate, 4-5 mm. in diam., three inner segments valvate, 12-14 mm. long and very hard. Stamens 30+. The plant is monocarpic and dies after flowering. Fruit 2-3.5 cm. long, round, and dark red to blackish when mature. One to three smooth black seeds. Editing by edric.