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About the Caryota obtusa - S
Caryota obtusaCaryota obtusa, commonly known as the Giant Fishtail Palm or King Kong Palm, is the largest and most massive member of the Caryota genus. This spectacular palm is native to the tropical mountainous regions surrounding the Himalayan foothills, including parts of India, Thailand, Laos, and southern China.
Because of its enormous size and unusual foliage, this palm has an almost prehistoric appearance. The leaves display the distinctive fishtail shape that gives the Caryota genus its name. With its rapid growth and dramatic form, Caryota obtusa is considered one of the most impressive tropical palms for large gardens and botanical collections.
Characteristics
1. Origin: tropical mountainous regions of India, Thailand, Laos, and southern China.
2. Size: can reach heights of approximately 20 to 30 meters in the wild.
3. Growth habit: solitary palm with a single massive trunk.
4. Trunk: extremely thick trunk often measuring 60 to 90 cm in diameter.
5. Leaves: enormous bipinnate leaves with distinctive fishtail-shaped leaflets.
6. Growth rate: very fast-growing palm capable of adding about 1 meter of height per year under good conditions.
7. Life cycle: monocarpic; the palm flowers once at the end of its life cycle and then dies.
Care
1. Light: grows best in full sun to light partial shade.
2. Watering: requires abundant water and performs best in consistently moist soil.
3. Soil: rich, fertile, well-draining soil.
4. Temperature: relatively cold-hardy for a tropical palm and can tolerate brief drops to about -4°C.
5. Wind: sensitive to prolonged strong winds.
6. Safety: fruits and sap contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause skin irritation.
7. Placement: due to its massive size, best suited for large gardens, parks, or botanical collections.
All specifications
English name
Giant Fishtail Palm
Size
S
Location
Sunny
Water requirements
Water regularly
Fertilization
Generous fertilization (± every 2–3 months)
Evergreen
Yes
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Flowering
No flowering
Fragrant
Non-fragrant
Edible
No
Fruit
Ornamental fruit (not edible)
Ideal growth temperature
Between 20°C / 25°C
Minimum temperature
Protect from 5°C
Preferred humidity
Average humidity
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