Corypha utan

(Corypha)

Description

This solitary palm with a thick trunk is slow growing. The fan-shaped leaves appear pleated where the blade is attached to the petiole, the latter is up to 4 m long and has prickles to 2 cm long on the margin. Maturity is reached after about 50 years, at which time a huge inflorescence appears from the top of the stem. The plant dies soon after this single flowering, as soon as the numerous olive green to black seeds to 1 cm diameter mature. Commonly found along watercourses in northern Australia as well as in neighbouring countries.