Wodyetia bifurcata A.K.Irvine
| Etymology | Genus | After an Australian aborignal name, Wodyeti |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Twice forked; referring to the leaflet | |
| Family | Arecaceae | |
| Synonyms | - | |
| Common Names | Foxtail Palm | |
| Status | Exotic: Cultivated Only | |
| Form | Single-stem palm | |
| Native Distribution | Queensland | |
Diagnostics
A single-stemmed palm growing to 6-15m. It can be easily identified from its bushy leaves, caused by the spiral arrangement of the leaflets.
Interesting Facts
The foxtail palm is endemic to the granite boulder fields of the Melville Range, within Cape Melville National Park, Queenstown, Australia. In 1978, an Australian Aboriginal man named Wodyeti introduced the palm to botanists, bringing it to the world's attention (National Parks Board, n.d.). The genus was later named in his honour. This palm is now widely cultivated all over the world.
Stands of foxtail palm cultivated in Hougang (2025).
Fruits.
Fruit size relative to shoe.
Stem.
References
National Parks Board (n.d.). Wodyetia bifurcata. Flora & Fauna Web, https://www.nparks.gov.sg/FloraFaunaWeb/Flora/2/6/2691. Accessed on 27-Oct-2025.