Family: Arecaceae
Common name: Foxtail palm
Foxtail palms are an elegant and majestic trees that are loved by gardeners and landscapers for their beautiful ruffly fronds. They are native to Australia, and were declared as rare species for a few years, but they are now grown in most tropical countries worldwide.
Tree characteristics
Foxtail palms can grow to a height of 10-15 meters with a tall, smooth, slender trunk. Like most palm tree, the trunks show distinctive ring-like markings that are formed when the leaves fall away, also called leaf scars.
Trunks are typically unbranched, although there are rare instances of Foxtail palm trunks producing one or two side shoots. The thin, elegant trunk makes these trees favorites among landscapers since they can grow in restricted spaces, and still have enough strength to support the luscious fronds.
Foxtail palm leaves are 1.5 to 2 meters long with light green or dark green leaflets. These leaflets have a distinct bifurcation on the tip, giving them a fluffy, fox-tail like appearance, giving the tree its name.
Each palm has 10-20 leaves at a time, gracefully radiating from the trunk to produce a burst of long, narrow, green streamer-like leaflets.
When the leaves become mature and fall away, they have a thick, strong, curved structure at the base which wraps around the trunk to support the weight of the leaves. Children play with these fallen leaves, the older ones dragging the younger ones around, seating them in the strong leaf stalks.
Flowers of the Foxtail palm are small, cream or yellow-colored, emerging directly from the base of the trunk. They are produced in large bunches during spring and summer, attracting bees, birds, and insects to them.
Foxtail palms later produce small, oval-shaped fruits that are initially green, later turning orange and red when they mature. They are 3-4 cm in diameter and contains a single seed.
Gardening Tips
Foxtail palm trees are very easy to grow in home gardens or parks since they need very little care and maintenance. These trees need good, direct sunlight and well-drained soil.
Avoid overwatering, especially when the trees are small. They are tolerant of drought, and can do well without water for many days.
Fertilization and pruning can be done when the trees are very small, to help them grow and maintain their shape. But once the trees are mature, they can pretty much look after themselves.
Foxtail palms are resistant to pest infestations, and do not need any pesticides. In short, they are great for gardens and spaces where they can be planted and forgotten for many years.
Foxtail palms are very closely related to Royal palm or Roystonea regia, both used very commonly for landscaping.
Uses of Foxtail palm
These trees are mostly grown as ornamentals, and for shade. They also help small birds and animals by providing them food and shelter, since their large fronds provide protection from the weather and predators.
The fruits of the Foxtail palm are eaten by animals that help propagate them.
Palm trees can live for many decades providing beauty and majesty to your gardens. They are excellent for xeriscaping, or gardening using very little water, since these trees are drought-tolerant.
Propagation
Propagation is through seeds, which can be collected from parent trees, dried, and then soaked in water for a day before they are planted in well-drained soil. Germination can take 2-3 months.
Photographed at: Hebbal, Bangalore
