Probably the best known of all plant species in the Seychelles is that of the mysterious Coco de Mer (Lodoicea maldivica), a tall slender palm tree with straight boles up to 30 metres in height.  This remarkable species is dioecious, meaning that the male and female flowers are on separate plants.  The elegant female Coco de Mer produces a seed which has an astonishing resemblance to a female belly and thighs, while the male produced a remarkably phallic-looking flowering catkin.  The palm's leaves can measure up to an impressive six metres in length and four metres in width. 

The tree has an incredibly slow growth rate, taking 2 years to germinate, 25 years to bear fruit and a further 7 years from fertilisation of the female flower to maturity of the fruit.  Many of the gigantic Coco de Mer trees in the Vallée de Mai are estimated to be hundreds of years old. Myth and legend has surrounded the Coco de Mer palm for many years, including tales of the male palm coming to life at night and performing a ritualistic mating performance on the female.

It is worth using a pair of binoculars to examine the male catkins of the Coco de Mer.  Both the chunky bronze eyed geckos and the slender green geckos can usually be spotted amongst the flowers, as well as the white slug, Vaginula seychellis which particularly favours them.  The endemic Praslin snail, Pachnodus praslinus, with its twirled and pointed shell is also a common resident on the Coco de Mer.

The Coco de Mer palm may be the most famous of the endemic species, but probably the most important palms is the Phoenicophorium borsigianum, known by its Creole name of latannyen fey.  The broad undivided leaves of this palm are used extensively for thatching, which if done properly can last up to 20 years.

Photographs kindly provided by Ralph Pannell, Doug Howes, Carina Hall & STB

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