Lodoicea, commonly known as the sea coconut, coco de mer, or double coconut, is a monotypic genus in the palm family.
The sole species, Lodoicea maldivica, is endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. The mature fruit is 40–50 cm in diameter and weighs 15–30 kg, and contains the largest seed in the plant kingdom. The fruit, which requires 6–7 years to mature and a further two years to germinate, is sometimes also referred to as the sea coconut, love nut, double coconut, coco fesse, or Seychelles nut. The leaves of Lodoicea have the longest lifespan of any Monocot, nine years to develope in the terminal spike, and then nine more years as a fully functioning leaf, what make a incredible 18 years cycle. Only when Lodoicea begins to produce flowers, which can vary from 11 years to 45 or more, is it possible to visually determine the sex of the plant. Until the true source of the nut was discovered in 1768 by Dufresne, it was believed by many to grow on a mythical tree at the bottom of the sea. European nobles in the sixteenth century would often have the shells of these nuts polished and decorated with valuable jewels as collectibles for their private galleries.
The Coco de Mer tree is now a rare and protected species. The seeds of Lodoicea have been highly prized over the centuries.
This magnificent specimen in mounted in a handmade brass display base and have all the licenses from Seychelles Islands as well the holographic stamp certificate.
A truly One of a Kind exclusive piece.