This is the male inflorescence of the endemic sea coconut, or coco de mer. It is endemic to Praslin and its neighbouring island Curieuse, which means it is an endangered species. The incredibly large and unusually shaped seed makes it and extraordinarily popular item to humans, making it harder for the species to successfully reproduce by germinating seeds. Adding habitat loss to the list and you have a recipe for extinction, were it not for conservation measures that seem to be able to halt further decline in populations.
The mature fruit is the largest seed of any plant in the world.
Last updated on 24 October 2021
