n. A large fan-leaved palm tree (Corypha umbraculifera) of South Asia that lives up to 80 years and flowers only once, producing a huge inflorescence and dying shortly after the fruits mature. [Ultimately from Sanskrit tālapattram, palm leaf used for writing : tālaḥ, palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer); see TODDY + pattram, leaf; see pet- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] (click for a larger image) talipot palmCorypha umbraculifera |
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