Wodyetia bifurcata - Foxtail Palm

Wodyetia bifurcata, commonly known as the Foxtail Palm, is considered by collectors as one of the most beautiful palms in the world. This species, native to Northeast Australia, is distinguished by its beautifully feathery and charmingly tousled foliage, gathered in a beautiful crown of arched fronds atop a tapered and ringed trunk. It is a less hardy plant but with rapid growth that will make a big impact in a seaside garden. It can also be grown in containers, which allows it to be protected from the cold in an unheated greenhouse or conservatory in winter, surrounded by other lush plants that naturally humidify the air.

Wodyetia bifurcata belongs to the Arecaceae family. It is native to Queensland, Australia, and is a species that thrives in full sun and rocky, well-drained soil, adapted to warm and temperate to tropical climates. Discovered in the 1970s, it was only described in 1983. An adult plant can tolerate a few degrees of frost, down to about -4 °C (24.8 °F) for a very short period. It is a low-maintenance palm that is water-efficient (when grown in open ground). Young plants take some time to establish themselves, but then their growth accelerates, especially that of the pseudo-trunk: 2 to 3 leaves are produced each year, but the 'trunk' elongates by 10 cm (4 in) each time a new leaf appears. In its natural habitat, Wodyetia bifurcata can reach heights of 15 to 20 m (49 to 66 ft), but its size will remain much more modest if grown in a container.

This Wodyetia develops a single trunk, called a stipe, which is thin (10-15 cm (4-6 in) in diameter), wider at the base, light grey in colour, smooth but marked with numerous leaf scars. In this species, dead leaves fall off on their own. Large pinnate leaves develop at the top of the stipe, erect at the base and drooping at the tips, measuring up to 3 m (10 ft) long. The leaf is divided into numerous pairs of leaflets arranged on several planes. Each leaflet has a bifid end, resembling a fish tail. Together, they give the leaf an extremely decorative feathery appearance. The leaves are dark green on top and light green underneath. The spectacular flowering occurs in summer, on mature plants aged 10 to 15 years, under favourable growing conditions. The inflorescences appear below the leaves; they are horizontal or pendulous and measure up to 1 m (3 ft) long. Branched, they bear separate male and female flowers, cream-white in colour. The ovoid fruits measure 5 to 6 cm (2 in) in length, are red-orange when ripe, and contain only one seed.

Undoubtedly, Wodyetia bifurcata is a beautiful addition for collectors and enthusiasts of exotic plants, whether they are simply amateurs or experienced gardeners. It will make a statement in a sunny seaside garden, as well as in a conservatory or greenhouse. It can be taken outdoors on the terrace from May to October, after an acclimatisation period. Like all palms, it is difficult to combine with other plants due to its strong personality: reserve it for a corner near a swimming pool or a prominent spot on the terrace, initially exposing it to shade so that it gradually gets accustomed to the sun. Surround it with Phormium – visual, understated, and colourful – or with agaves that are precise and geometric, or even with Cordyline, for example.