Coco de Mer Palm (Lodoicea maldivica)
Scientific Name: Lodoicea maldivica — Coco de Mer, Double Coconut Palm.
Native Home: Praslin and Curieuse Islands, Seychelles.
Height: 25–34 m (Approx. 82–112 ft).
Lifespan: 200–400 years or more.
Uses and Harvesting
Timber: Trunks have limited local construction uses; the palm is mainly valued as an ornamental and conservation species.
Harvesting: Seeds are collected under strict conservation regulations.
Age to Harvest: Often 20–40 years or longer to produce its distinctive large fruits.
Products: Ornamental plants, legally traded seeds, and botanical collection specimens.
History and Global Production
Traditional Use: The enormous double-lobed seeds have long been valued as curiosities and decorative objects.
Global Spread: Native only to Seychelles; cultivated in botanical gardens and specialist tropical collections worldwide.
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