From Kummankottil Paily:

Re: Death by flowers: giant, suicidal palm has botanists stumped (Jan. 16): Similar type of palm (may be a different genus/species?) is seen in Kerala state of India (especially in the Malabar area of Kerala) and the common name in which it is known is ‘Kudampana’ or ‘Umbrella palms’. This palm also is an endagered species, grows almost to the same hight and will die after flowering and fruiting. Hence, they are also suicidal.