Corypha lecomtei
Common Names Lan Palm, Thi Talipot Palm, Cay La Buong, Traing Palm
Zones 10A–11
A monumental monocarpic fan palm native to Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, Corypha lecomtei is revered for its massive crown and cultural significance. Used historically for palm-leaf manuscripts, it produces one of the largest inflorescences in the plant kingdom before dying—a dramatic finale decades in the making.
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; monocarpic (flowers once, then dies)
Height: 12–20 ft (3.5–6 m); trunk diameter up to 3 ft (1 m)
Trunk: Thick, columnar; retains old leaf bases forming a skirt
Leaves: Costapalmate; upright; gray-green; blades 11–13 ft long; petioles up to 29 ft long
Crown Spread: Up to 89 ft (27 m); second only to Lodoicea among monocots
Inflorescence: Terminal panicle; up to 39 ft tall and 20 ft wide; thousands of whitish flowers
Fruit: Globular; brown; 2.8–3.1 in (7–8 cm) diameter
Ecology: Grows in dry forests and river margins up to 600 m elevation; stores starches for decades before flowering2
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; fair drought resistance
Soil: Prefers deep, well-drained soils; tolerates seasonal dryness
Temperature: Hardy to ~28°F (–2°C); frost-sensitive
Humidity: Moderate to high
Propagation: By seed; sow deep; germinates in 3–6 months
Tolerance: Tolerates dry seasons; not salt-tolerant
Landscape Use Best suited for botanical gardens, cultural landscapes, and collectors of monumental palms. Pairs well with Corypha umbraculifera, Borassus flabellifer, and Lodoicea maldivica.
Shipping & Order Info Plants up to 7 gallons Plants may show minor blemishes on delivery. No plants with any major flaws will be shipped. All plants are treated and visually inspected for pests prior to shipping. Orders ship on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays the week after purchase. We do not ship to the following states: TX, CA, HI, AZ, NV. Local
Deliveries Please allow up to 72 hours for us to return a quote on delivery for any palms over 15 gallons.
Cancellations Cancellations must be submitted by Sunday at midnight before your scheduled ship date. Later requests will be reviewed individually. Orders requiring a carrier or local deliveries must cancel before any deliveries are booked. There will be no cancellations after booking. If cancellation is still requested, the buyer will forfeit any charges associated with delivery.
Returns Returns/Replacements are handled on a case-by-case basis. Cosmetic damage (e.g., minor leaf blemishes) is not eligible for replacement or discount. Shipping stress may cause temporary leaf drop or shock—this is normal and recovery is expected. If your plant arrives damaged or there’s an issue with your order, please contact us directly before leaving feedback. We’re committed to making it right.
