Khuangmu | กวงมู | Caryota urens
Family: Arecaceae - Genus: Caryota
This particular palm can be found on the premises of Eco-Logic Thailand and in Paksong area.
The fishtail palm is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, they grow in fields and rainforest clearings. The term urens in the Latin name of the Fishtail Palm stands for "stinging" and refers to the chemicals in the fruit. Common names in English include solitary fishtail palm, kitul palm, toddy palm, wine palm, sago palm and jaggery palm.
Its leaf is used as fishing rod after trimming the branches of the leaf and drying.
The fishtail palm is a solitary-trunked tree that measure up to 15 meter in height and up to 30 centimeter wide. Widely spaced leaf-scar rings cover its gray trunk which culminate in a 6 meter wide, 6 meter tall leaf crown. The leaves are triangular in shape, bright to deep green, 3.5 meter long, and held on 60 centimeter long stalks. The leave parts are 30 centimeter long with a pointed edge and a jagged edge.
The 3 meter long flowering part of the palm emerge at each leaf node, from top to bottom, producing pendent clusters of white, unisexual flowers.
The fruit matures to a round, 1 centimeter drupe, red in color with one seed. As these plants are monocarpic, the completion of the flower and fruiting process results in the death of the tree.
The leaves possess strong fibers and are used for basketry.
The heart of the trunk contains a starch similar to sago.
The tree trunk can also be used for building.
The fruit, when its stiff hairs are removed, is pleasant and sweet to eat, and stalks can be cut to make sugar, which in turn can be made into wine.
The flowering period of a fishtail palm can span five to seven years.
THE TREE
The fishtail palm is a solitary-trunked tree that measure up to 15 meter in height and up to 30 centimeter wide. Widely spaced leaf-scar rings cover its gray trunk which culminate in a 6 meter wide, 6 meter tall leaf crown.
The heart of the trunk contains a starch similar to sago.
The tree trunk can also be used for building.
THE LEAVES
The leaves of the fishtail palm are triangular in shape, bright to deep green, 3.5 meter long, and held on 60 centimeter long stalks. The leave parts are 30 centimeter long with a pointed edge and a jagged edge.
The leaves possess strong fibers and are used for basketry.
THE FLOWERS
Fishtail palm flowers grow on hanging spikes that sprout in a clump and can be up to 3 meter long. Tiny female flowers grow between the not-quite-as-small male flowers, on the same spike, and mature only after the male flowers bloom.
A fishtail palm is known botanically as a monocarpic plant. This means that after it finishes flowering, the entire trunk dies.
However, the flowering period of a fishtail palm can span five to seven years.
THE FRUIT
The fruit of the Fishtail palm matures to a round, 1 centimeter drupe, red in color with one seed.
The fruit, when its stiff hairs are removed, is pleasant and sweet to eat, and stalks can be cut to make sugar, which in turn can be made into wine.
CULINARY USES
The inner core of the Fishtail Palm offers a sweet starch (carbohydrate) along with a refreshing taste. The downside is that you have to kill the whole tree to get it, But as these plants are monocarpic, the completion of the flower and fruiting process results in the death of the tree and thus the trunk is harvested for it's core.
The very young unfolding leaves and leaf buds can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They have a somewhat bitter flavor.
The fruit is also edible, when its stiff hairs are removed. The taste is pleasant and sweet to eat, and stalks can be cut to make sugar, which in turn can be made into wine.
TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL
NOTE: please take advice from a doctor if you are planning to use herbal medicine.
A porridge prepared from the seed flour is said to treat gastric ulcers, migraine headaches, snake-bite poisoning and rheumatic swelling.
The root are said to be used for treating tooth ailments.
The bark and seed are said to be used to treat boils.
The tender flowers are said to be used for promoting hair growth.
INTO THE WILD: a down to earth experience
For guests and visitors to Paksong we organize weekly tours "The Edible Forest" and Foraging weekends: Into the Wild. We work with local guides to take you in the jungle of Paksong. After foraging, we will cook a meal with the ingredients, using bamboo together with you!
Come and join and learn about the abundance of food that nature gives us!
INTO THE WILD!
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