Caryota ochlandra flowering and tall Caryota group

[Eric in Orlando]

This is a grouping of Fishtail Palms here at Leu Gardens. The one on the far left is Caryota no, the center is C. cumingii and on the far right is C. ochlandra. The C. ochlandra is around 50ft tall and flowering. The C. no and cumingii were growing through the canopy of an old Laurel Oak. It split apart last summer and stripped most of the leaves off them when it fell.

[Eric in Orlando]

A closeup of the Caryota ochlandra

[realarch]

Eric, do these readily cross and produce hybrids?

[Eric in Orlando]

Some Caryota do cross. I have a clump of C. urens x mitis. The seed was collected off C. urens but there were mitis nearby. Same with a C. rumphiana x mitis. I also have what I believe is a C. no x mitis.

[paulgila]

those are TALL compared to the ones i see here. very cool!

[Eric in Orlando]

Amazing lightning has not killed them. Years ago there was a 30 ft Caryota "Himalayana" growing there too and it was struck by lightning.

[MattyB]

Those ARE tall! I hope mine get that tall before they flower. I need the long trunks to make a bridge.

[paulgila]

thats one way to get to heaven,matt.

[Eric in Orlando]

Is the wood durable ?