Species of very tall fan palm native to Southeast Asia and the Philippines. It is cultivated in southeast Asia north to southern China. It is one of the largest palms in the world with specimens reaching 25 m in height and stems up to 1.3 m in diameter. It may live as long as 75 years before flowering, then fruiting just one time and dying. It has large palmate leaves measuring up to 5 m across, used for making fans, umbrellas, and thatching. Strips of leaves have historically been used for manuscripts, inscribed with iron styluses. Young stalks are used for weaving. The sap is tapped to make palm wine.
