Family: Arecaceae
Corypha lecomtei, commonly known as lan palm, la buong, or thi talipot palm, is a striking, large fan palm native to mainland Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It is best known for its massive, circular leaves that can reach several feet across, giving the tree a bold, architectural appearance. Like other talipot palms, Corypha lecomtei is monocarpic, meaning it grows for many decades before flowering once, producing an enormous flowering stalk, and then dying. In its native range, it has been traditionally used for thatching, weaving, and cultural purposes, and its dramatic form has made it attractive as an ornamental specimen in tropical landscapes and botanical collections.
Although Corypha lecomtei is not currently known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern. When mature, a single tree can produce a very large number of seeds during its one-time flowering event, increasing the potential for spread if conditions are favorable. Its large size and long lifespan may also allow it to persist and reproduce undetected for many years. Given these characteristics, caution is recommended when considering this species for planting in Hawaiʻi to ensure it does not escape cultivation and negatively impact native ecosystems or displace low-risk or native plant species.
High Risk Traits:
- Thrives in tropical climates
- Petioles very stout and spiny
- Young fruits used as a fish poison (possible toxic effects to other animals?)
- Tolerates many soil types
- Forms natural dense stands in parts of native range
- Seeds may be dispersed by birds, other frugivorous animals, flowing water and intentionally by people
- Produces millions of flowers and potentially large numbers of seeds
- Tree dies after reaching maturity (drawback in landscaping)
- Limited ecological information makes accurate risk prediction difficult
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or detrimental impacts, but no evidence of widespread introduction outside native range
- Multiple uses, including ornamental and food
- Reaches maturity after 20+ years
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
