FOXTAIL PALM

This palm, native to the scrublands of Australia’s rocky northeastern peninsula, holds a special place in its ecosystem. In the United States, it thrives best in areas where temperatures remain above 30°F. The foxtail palm is an impressive species that can soar up to 30 feet tall and grows rapidly when basking in full sunlight, though it gracefully adapts to both sunny and shady environments. Its pinnately compound leaves or fronds stretch between 8 to 10 feet long and are supported by a petiole measuring about 6 to 12 inches. The dark green leaflets are each half a foot long, arranged in a whorled pattern around the rachis, with tips that split into segments.

The trunk of this palm is strikingly light gray to nearly white, slightly bulging at mid-length with distinctive dark leaf base scars encircling it. Atop this trunk rests a smooth crownshaft ranging from pale green to blue-green hues—the origin point for its elegant leaves. As the stem ascends from its swollen base towards the top, it becomes slender and contributes up to three feet of height when fully mature.

Just beneath the crownshaft lies an intricately branched inflorescence adorned with white male and female flowers. The fruits are egg-shaped, about two inches long, transitioning from orange to red as they ripen.

The species name “bifurcata” signifies “twice divided,” reflecting how fibers within its fruit are uniquely arranged. Meanwhile, its common name draws inspiration from fronds resembling what some perceive as the bushy tail of a fox—a fitting tribute indeed for such an extraordinary plant!