Corypha umbraculifera

Corypha umbraculifera is a large palm native to southern India and Sri Lanka. It flowers once, producing a massive branched inflorescence, then dies.

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Monocarpy: A reproductive strategy in which an organism flowers and fruits once before dying. This palm’s single flowering episode is a classic example of monocarpy.
Arecaceae: The botanical family of palms, mostly tropical or subtropical flowering plants. Corypha umbraculifera belongs to this family of distinctive woody monocots.
Palm-leaf manuscript: A manuscript written on prepared leaves from certain palm species. Leaves of this palm have been used as a writing material in South Asia.
Corypha: A genus of large fan palms native to tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Corypha umbraculifera is the genus’s best-known species.
Inflorescence: A flowering shoot bearing one or more flowers arranged along a stem or branches. The palm’s terminal inflorescence branches on an exceptionally large scale.
Palm tree: A tree-like growth form found in palms, with an unbranched stem and crown of leaves. The species’ towering trunk and crown fit the familiar palm growth form.
Talipot palm leaf: A large leaf of Corypha umbraculifera used traditionally for writing, thatching, and fans. The species is valued for leaves large enough for practical and ceremonial uses.
Corypha utan: A large fan palm native to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. This close relative also flowers once, but has a different native range.
Pollination: The transfer of pollen to a flower’s receptive surface, enabling fertilization. Pollination allows the palm’s one flowering event to produce fruit and seeds.
Monocotyledon: A flowering plant whose seed typically contains one embryonic leaf. As a palm, Corypha umbraculifera is a monocotyledon.