Seed of the Coco de Mer
Botanic Garden
The Coco de Mer, Lodoicea maldivica, is an extraordinary palm growing up to 30m tall on hillsides of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. The seeds are heavy and sink but empty seed shells will float, and for thousands of years Indian Ocean currents have taken them to the Maldives. The seeds are the largest and heaviest of any plant with a seed of 17.6kg and 50cm diameter having been recorded. The Botanic Garden has a single seed of this now endangered species, which is used frequently for teaching at the University.
- Photographer: Dave Newbury
- Copyright: University of Bristol
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