Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 12 – By Dr. Marli Botha – Article 12 of 40
By Dr. Marli Botha
The coco de mer, or sea coconut, is a palm tree native to the Seychelles, known for its massive, double-lobed fruit, which is the largest seed in the plant kingdom, weighing up to 40 kilograms.
Let’s dive into the deep-rooted wonders of the Coco de Mer – where nature’s grandeur meets cultural lore!
- The coco de mer palm has separate male and female trees, unlike the coconut palm.
- Coco de mer fruits, among the largest known, take about 10 years to ripen; they have a fleshy and fibrous envelope surrounding a hard, nutlike portion that is generally two-lobed, suggesting a double coconut.
- In acient times if you lived in the Maldives, any coco de mer nuts that were found in the ocean or on the beaches were supposed to be given to the king, and keeping a nut for yourself or selling it could have resulted in the death penalty.
- The nutritious kernel of the Coco de Mer seed, once believed to be a powerful aphrodisiac, was considered a delicacy. The fibrous husk, known as “coir” was used for making ropes and crafts, while the palm fronds were employed for thatching roofs.
- The Seychelles government closely monitors the quantity and status of the coco de mer trees, and, although commerce is regulated to prevent overharvesting, poaching is a concern.
