Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Palm (Solitary Habit) |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Australia |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | A stunning, fast-growing, small or medium-sized, solitary palm that is renowned for its delightful crown of densely plumose (like the plume of a feather), gracefully arching fronds that have taken the liking to the tail of a fox. |
|---|---|
| Trunk | Trunk smooth, unarmed, slender, closely ringed, columnar to bottle-shaped, slightly swollen at base; crownshaft slender, narrower green. |
| Foliage | Fronds arching, long, densely plumose, bright green, 8 to 10 (for mature specimens); leaflets radiating out at all angles from the sheath. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | Flower: Inflorescences white, emerging at the base of the crownshaft. Fruit: Fruits clustered, ripening from green to orange-red, about 5 cm long, single-seeded; seeds bearing forked fibres.Etymology:' It was discovered in 1978, when an Aboriginal man, whose Aboriginal name being recorded as 'Wodyeti', introduced it to botanists and the world's attention. Thus the genus epithet was honoured after him. Its species epithet 'bifurcata' mean twice forked, in reference to the pinnae and fibres in the fruit. Its common name, 'foxtail palm', was conveniently given in reference to the fronds, which are an allusion to the tail of a fox. |
| Cultivation | Extremely versatile a palm, it tolerates a wide variety of soil and climatic conditions. Grows at a rapid rate when the palm is well fed and watered regularly. It thrives well in full sun and partial sun, and even indoors with brightly lit areas. Because of its deep root system, it is drought tolerant. When grown in a container, over-watering should be avoided. It is generally disease-free and is reistant to lethal yellowing (a phytoplasma disease that affects many species of palms). Propagate by seeds. Seeds germinate in 3 to 6 months. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Roadsides |
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Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 2.5 (Palm - Solitary) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Palm) | Solitary Habit, Aboveground |
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Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1398 |
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| Species ID | 2691 |
| 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. |