Caryota maxima Himalaya
Himalayan or Mountain Fish Tail Palm

Though known in cultivation for a while now, especially in California where it is grown under the name Caryota urens or “Mountain Form,” this fabulous, hardy species still is rarely seen around. It is a fairly large, vigorous, and extremely fast-growing tree (up to 2 m (6.5 ft) per year) with a dense crown. This Fishtail is frequently seen growing semi-wild in the foothills of the central and eastern Himalayas up to 2400 m (7800 ft) a.s.l. As indicated by its habitat, and by experience from cultivation, it is by far the most cold tolerant Fishtail Palm, guaranteed to stand up happily to cold winters with snow and moderate frosts to -7°C (19°F).