S. and SE Asia; inferred tropical rain forest, to 900 m; unknown wild. Seed as masticatory (850 kg/ha/yr); edible heart; young leaves for thatch; leaf sheaths for hats, containers; trunk for wood; seed in veterinary medicine; dye source. Cultivated alone or with annual or perennial crops. Seed propagation; cultivars based on seed quality. Yields at 6 years for 30 - 35 years.
Limited research on selection and breeding; ornamental; solitary feather palm. Improved.