SE Asia: inferred tropical rain forest, esp. coastal sites, to 300 m, and 20 degrees latitude; ideal climate rainfall of 1000 mm or more, and mean average temperature of 22°C or more. Edible oil, fruit, drinks (2500 - 7500 nuts/ha/yr, copra yields to 1200 kg/ha/yr); edible heart; sugar from flower stalks; leaves for thatch, weaving; trunk for wood; many minor products. Monoe-cious. Most widely cultivated palm, alone or with annual or perennial crops; seed propagation but progress on vegetative propagation; breeding objectives to increase oil yield; numerous cultivars; starts producing nuts at 4 - 7 years; average yield is 75 nuts/year for 80 years, but normally replaced at 30 - 40 years; solitary feather palm. Improved.
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