Caryota urens is a species of flowering plant in the palm family, native to Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar and Malaysia (perhaps elsewhere in Indo-Malayan region), where they grow in fields and rainforest clearings, it is regarded as introduced in Cambodia.

Caryota urens species is a solitary-trunked tree that can measure 18 metres (59 feet) in height[4] and up to 30 centimetres (12 inches) wide.

The 3 m (10 ft) long inflorescences emerge at each leaf node, from top to bottom, producing pendent clusters of white, unisexual flowers.

[5] The sap of the tree is boiled for many hours until it turns into the thick, dark treacle, unique to Sri Lanka.

The fruit, when its stiff hairs are removed, is pleasant and sweet to eat, and, as elsewhere, the Cambodians cut the stalks to make sugar, which in turn can be made into wine.

Caryota urens is cultivated as an ornamental tree, and planted in gardens and parks in tropical and sub-tropical climates.