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Caryota zebrina
| Family Name: | Arecaceae (Palmae) |
| Common Name: | Striped Fishtail Palm, Zebra Fishtail Palm, Palem Tokek, Gecko Palm, Palem Belang |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 12 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | New Guinea |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Found in the mountains of Papua New Guinea, this solitary, small to medium-sized, understorey palm is most notable for its beautifully distinctive stripes on the petiole of the thick, glossy green leaflets that are at different angles and in irregular clusters along the fronds, giving a disorganised yet interesting appearance. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Trunk solitary, monocarpic (dying after bearing fruits only once), banded, grey, black fiberous residue present, up to 25 cm in diameter. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Floiage: Fronds bi-pinnate (twice pinnate; primary leaflets again being divided into secondary leaflets), glossy, dark green, usually no more than 5, fishtail-like (but are rounder relative to Caryota mitis; petioles distinctly brown and white banded. Flower: Inflorescences interfoliar (arising among the fronds), one terminal and one in each leaf axil developing strictly from top of stem downwards; flowers in triads (one female flanked by two males), spirally arranged. Fruit: Fruits globose, black when ripe, single or two-seeded. |
| Cultivation | Prefers a sheltered and shady position with moist but well-drained soils. It is a very slow growing palm, but can take full sun once established. Propagate by seeds that germinate within 6 to 9 months with bottom heat. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet 'Caryota' comes from the Greek 'caryon', a nut. The species epithet 'zebrina' derives from an allusion to the stripes of a zebra, in reference to the stem and petioles. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Shape(s) | Palm Fronds (Bipinnate) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Black |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1317 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2610 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
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