Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2736620

Foxtail Palm

Wodyetia bifurcata

Foxtail palms feature distinctive, dense green fronds that curl outward in every direction, mimicking the bushy tail of a fox. Their smooth, ringed trunks taper upward into a striking olive-green crownshaft, below which large clusters of bright orange fruit mature. Originating from a tiny, rocky mountain range in northern Queensland, this adaptable palm has become a beloved centerpiece in tropical landscapes worldwide.

OrnamentalTropicalEvergreen
Foxtail Palm reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Steve Fitzgerald, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Sunlight
  • Soil Nutrients
  • Water
Predators
  • Fruit Bats
  • Rats
  • Palm Beetles
ThreatsHistorical seed poaching, habitat restriction, extreme cold snaps
HabitatsGranite boulder fields, tropical open woodlands, coastal landscapes
Life span50–100 years
Classification
  1. OrderArecales
  2. FamilyArecaceae
  3. GenusWodyetia
  4. SpeciesWodyetia bifurcata
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Wild palm fruits have toxic look-alikes; never ingest wild plant parts based on app identification alone.
What to notice
Recognized by full bushy fronds, smooth ringed grey trunk, and large orange oval fruit clusters.
Support conservation
Enjoy cultivated specimens freely, but never harvest seeds or disturb wild palms in protected native habitats.
Responsible observation
  • Landscape Planting: Place in full sun with well-drained soil to prevent root rot in wet seasons.
  • Pruning Care: Allow old fronds to drop naturally as the palm is self-cleaning and self-shedding.
  • Cold Protection: Shield young palms from frost, as temperatures below freezing cause leaf burn.
Related species
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