Food Plants International

183
Names
English: Fishtail palm Scientific name: Caryota rumphiana var. papuana Becc.
Tok pisin: Synonyms:
Tok ples: Plant family: Arecaceae
Description: A spineless palm with delta shaped
leaflets. It grows to a height of 18 m and spreads to 5
m across. The stem is slender and erect. The leaflets
are bipinnate (Two branches on the leaves) and the
whole leaf is up to 5-6 m long and 3-4 m wide. The
leaves have irregular teeth on the edges towards the top.
The leaves arch over. The flowers are purple and
yellow-green. They occur on long spikes. These can
be 3 m long. These fruiting stalks are stout. Long
chains of fruit hang from near the leaves along this
stalk. The fruit are bluish. The fruit irritate the skin of
people.
Distribution: A tropical plant. The palm is common
and widespread at low elevations in Papua New
Guinea. It grows up to at least 1200 m altitude. It will
grow on most soils. It needs a protected, warm, moist
position. It is sensitive to frost. It suits hardiness zones
10-12.
Cultivation: It grows wild. It can be grown from seeds. Seed need to be sown while fresh.
Seed can take 6-12 months to germinate.
Production:
Use: The pith of the young trunk is eaten (Heart cabbage)
The trunk is sometimes used to pound for sago starch.
The trunk is also used to cultivate sago grubs.
Caution: The juice of the fruit can irritate the skin.
Food Value: Per 100 g edible portion
Edible part Moisture Energy Protein
Cabbage
Starch
Sago grubs
% KJ g
Insects:
Diseases:
Pests:
Calcium
mg
Iron
mg
proVit A
µg
proVit C
mg
Importance: A common palm in lowland areas of Papua New Guinea but only of minor
importance as a food. It has cultural significance in some areas e.g. Kaluli near Mt Bosavi.
Zinc
mg