"Corypha gebanga" is a species of palm tree found in Southeast Asia, particularly in the regions of Sumatra, Borneo, Java, and Peninsular Malaysia. It belongs to the family Arecaceae and is commonly known as "gebanga palm" or "pudanga palm" in English.
The Corypha gebanga tree is characterized by its tall stature, typically reaching heights of up to 30 meters, with a trunk diameter of approximately 40 centimeters. The trunk is straight and cylindrical, covered in a dark brown, fibrous, and rough bark. The leaves are large, palmate, and fan-shaped, forming a dense rosette at the top of the trunk. They exhibit a deep green coloration and have long petioles, facilitating their swaying motion in the wind.
This palm species is dioecious, meaning that individual trees are either male or female. The flowers are small and yellowish, arranged in large inflorescences that emerge from the top of the trunk. After pollination, female trees produce an abundance of oval-shaped fruits, which are initially green and turn reddish-brown as they mature. These fruits contain a single seed and are consumed by birds and mammals, facilitating seed dispersal.
Corypha gebanga palms are ecologically significant as they provide habitat and food resources for various organisms, contributing to the overall biodiversity of their native ecosystems. The tree is also occasionally cultivated for ornamental purposes due to its attractive appearance and towering presence. Additionally, the leaves and trunk of the gebanga palm have historically been used by local communities for handicrafts, construction materials, and thatching roofs.
