Foxtail Palm
Scientific Name: Wodyetia bifurcata
Category: tree
Brief Description
A striking palm tree characterized by its bushy, fox-tail-like fronds and a smooth, slender trunk.
Characteristics
Feathery, bushy fronds that resemble a fox's tail; a smooth, grey, slightly swollen trunk; produces large, bright red fruits when mature.
Habitat
Endemic to a very small area in northeastern Queensland (Melville Range), but widely planted as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including urban areas like Cairns.
When to Find It
Visible year-round; may produce flowers and fruit at various times depending on conditions.
Conservation Status
Near Threatened (in the wild) due to restricted natural range, though common in cultivation.
Ecological Role
Provides food for some birds and bats when fruiting; acts as a popular landscaping plant.
Easily Confused With
Royal Palm (Roystonea regia) has a smooth, pale grey trunk but flatter, less bushy fronds. Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) has a much taller, often curved trunk and flat fronds.
Observation Tips
Easily spotted in tropical landscaping, parks, and street plantings in Cairns and similar climates.
Interesting Facts
The Foxtail Palm was unknown to the world until the late 1970s when an Aboriginal man named Wodyeti brought it to the attention of botanists, hence its scientific name Wodyetia.