Description
- Common name:
- Century Palm, Talipot Palm, Fan Palm
- Regional name:
- Marathi - Tali, Telugu - Sritalama, Tamil - Kudaippanai, Kannada - Sritale, Malayalam - Kudappana
- Category:
- Palms and Cycads, Trees
- Family:
- Palmae or Coconut family
- Light:
- Sun growing, Semi shade
- Water:
- Normal, Can tolerate more
- Primarily grown for:
- Foliage
- Flowering season:
- Flowers once in many years
- Flower or Inflorescence color:
- White, Yellow
- Foliage color:
- Green
- Plant Height or length:
- More than 12 meters
- Plant Spread or Width:
- 8 to 12 meters
- Plant Form:
- Spherical or rounded, Upright or Erect
- Special Character:
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- Indigenous (native to India)
- Recommended for creating shade
- Evergreen trees
- Suitable for avenue planting
- Good on seaside
- Generally available in India in quantities of:
- Less than ten
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Plant Description:
- Corypha umbraculifera, also known as the talipot palm, is a large, monocarpic palm tree native to India and Sri Lanka. It is known for its extremely large leaves, which can reach up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length and can be used for thatching and other practical purposes. The talipot palm is also notable for its massive inflorescence, or flower structure, which can reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height and can contain up to half a million small flowers. The talipot palm flowers only once in its lifetime, typically after reaching 30-80 years of age, and then it dies. The tree is grown for ornamental purposes in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
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Growing tips:
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Corypha umbraculifera is a relatively easy plant to care for, provided it is grown in the right conditions. Here are some tips for caring for a talipot palm:
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Plant the tree in a well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun. It can tolerate partial shade, but it may not flower as well.
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Water the tree regularly, but do not allow the soil to become waterlogged. The talipot palm is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
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Fertilize the tree with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
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Protect the tree from strong winds, which can damage the large leaves.
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Prune off any dead or damaged leaves as needed.
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Be aware that the talipot palm is a monocarpic plant, meaning it flowers and then dies after it has reproduced. It is best to plant it in an area where it will not cause problems when it eventually dies.
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Benefits:
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Corypha umbraculifera, or the talipot palm, has a number of benefits, both practical and ornamental. Some of the benefits of this tree include:
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Large leaves that can be used for thatching and other practical purposes.
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An impressive, ornamental inflorescence that can reach up to 6 meters (20 feet) in height and contains hundreds of thousands of small flowers.
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A relatively easy plant to care for, making it a popular choice for landscaping in tropical and subtropical regions.
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The talipot palm is a slow-growing plant, which means it is not invasive and will not overtake a garden.
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The tree is drought-tolerant once established, making it a good choice for dry climates.
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The talipot palm is a good source of shade, making it a popular choice for outdoor areas such as patios and decks.
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The tree is native to India and Sri Lanka, and it is an important cultural and spiritual symbol in these regions.
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