Botanical Name

Caryota urens

Family

Aracaceae

Sanskrit name

Sritaala

English name

Fish tail palm

Hindi name

Mari

Kannada name

Baine mara

Habit

Tree

Habitat

Well drained humus rich soil , evergreen and semi - evergreen forests.

Plant Description

Tall tree looks like modified areca nut tree. Leaves are bipinnate,triangular, deep green with jagged edge. Infloresecence emerge from leag node which are 3m long. Fruit is a drupe , red in color with one seed

Distribution

Throughout the warmer parts and hilly regions of India.

Part Used

Medicinal: Porridge prepared is used to treat gastric ulcers

Other:

Medicinal uses

Seed, inflorescence

Other uses

Leaves produce strong fibre that are made in to ropes.

Culinary: Sago (sabudana) is made from stem pith starch

Toddy is being prepared from sap tapped from inflorescence

Ecological Significance

Fruits are eaten by Polecats .