A species of palm (similar to the fishtail palm but shorter).
sp. Caryota
Most often there is no trunk to be seen. The leaves seem to grow right out of the ground. If a trunk grows, it is up to about 2.5 m high and a bit more than 20 cm in diameter. The stalk of the leaf is approx. 1.5 m long up to where the leaflets start. The leaflets are about as wide as a hand, two handspans long and pinnate. The young shoots of all caryota species can be eaten. The stems of the leaves are used to make sticks used in weaving, also for the Jews' harp. The outer part of the trunk of most of the species can be split and made into very durable slat flooring.
Much tepikan grows at the edge of the river.