S. Asia: tropical dry forest into savanna, to 750 m; naturalized in SE Asia and widely culti-vated; tolerant of many locations and semi - hardy. Sap for sugar, wine (very high yields - 2 1 -20 l/tree/day); nectar for honey; spathes for durable "paper" writing material; alcohol fuel (40,0001/acre) from nectar; tall, spiny trunk, toothed midrib and prickly foliage - effective fence barrier; fibre from leaf stalk; edible fruit; leaves for thatch, weaving; trunk for wood; many minor products. Frequently planted India; often grown with legume forage species; deep rooting in early stages, so site planting recommended; fibre exported; sugar, wine local prod-ucts; solitary fan palm; dioecious. Unimproved.
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