A palm tree is a common sight but to see one crowned with an umbrella-like cluster of millions of tiny cream-coloured flowers is a sight to behold.
The Talipot Palm is native to southern India and Sri Lanka. Its flowers make this particular species of palm unique. Firstly, it boasts of the plant kingdom’s largest flower cluster. Secondly, the palm grows to a height of up to 25 cm for 30-80 years before it produces flowers. Thirdly, the tree flowers only once in its lifetime, yielding about 500kg of round yellow-green fruits. The fruits take about a year to mature after which the tree slowly wilts and dies.
The Talipot Palm is very useful. Buddhists were known to write their scriptures on its leaves. Locals use parts of the tree for building their houses. It is also a source of food and wine.
Picture Credit : Google