Caryota urens, commonly known as the solitary fishtail palm or wine palm, is a dramatic tropical palm native to South and Southeast Asia, valued for its bold architectural form and uniquely jagged, bipinnate leaflets that resemble a fish’s tail. This fast-growing palm typically develops a single, straight trunk reaching 40 to 60 feet tall, and in ideal tropical conditions it may grow as tall as 70 to 80 feet, with a trunk diameter of about 12 to 24 inches. The crown is broad and imposing, with massive, arching leaves that can measure 12 to 20 feet long and 8 to 10 feet wide, giving the palm an overall canopy spread of approximately 15 to 25 feet. Each leaf is composed of numerous wedge-shaped leaflets with irregular, torn-looking margins that create a lush, textured appearance. Caryota urens is monocarpic, meaning the palm flowers only once at maturity, producing spectacular pendent inflorescences that emerge from the top of the trunk and progressively descend, often measuring 6 to 10 feet long. These inflorescences bear creamy-white flowers followed by rounded fruits about 1 to 1½ inches in diameter, which contain irritating crystals and should be handled with care. After the flowering and fruiting cycle—often occurring when the palm is several decades old—the main trunk gradually declines and dies. Due to its impressive height, massive foliage, and tropical presence, Caryota urens is best suited for large landscapes, parks, and botanical settings where ample vertical and horizontal space can accommodate its full mature size.