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Guide botanique

Coco de mer.

Lodoicea maldivica

Prononciation loh-DOH-see-uh mal-dih-VIH-kuh

Aussi appelée Double Coconut, Double Coconut Palm, Sea Coconut, Seychelles-nut, Seychellesnut, double-coconut, sea-coconut

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Coco de mer
Photo de Rosario Douglas (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The coco de mer is a legendary palm native to the Seychelles, famous for producing the largest seeds in the plant kingdom. It grows very slowly and requires specific tropical conditions to thrive. Because of its massive size and slow growth, it is rarely kept as a houseplant.

Une autre photo de Coco de mer
Photo de Michael Bakker Paiva (CC BY) via iNaturalist

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien
Difficile
Type de plante
Palm
Lumière
Full sun to partial shade
Lumière en intérieur
Lumière vive indirecte
Arrosage
Tous les 3 à 7 jours
Taille adulte
30 meters
Croissance
Lente
Rusticité
USDA 11 à 12
Floraison
Irregular, typically throughout the year

Entretien

Provide high humidity and consistent warmth to mimic its native tropical environment. Watch for yellowing leaves which often indicate poor drainage or insufficient light. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root rot.

Arrosage
Keep the soil evenly moist but ensure it does not sit in standing water.
Engrais
Use a balanced palm fertilizer during the active growing season.
Taille
Only remove dead or damaged fronds to keep the plant healthy.
Rempotage
Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, as palms dislike root disturbance.
Sol
Rich, well draining sandy loam
pH du sol
6.0 to 7.5
Température
20 à 35°C
Humidité
70 à 95%
Résistance à la sécheresse
Faible
Durée de vie
Perennial, can live for several hundred years.
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins
Élevée

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

  • Roots circling the bottom of the container.
  • Stunted growth despite proper care.

Sécurité

Humains
The plant is not considered toxic to humans.
Enfants
The massive, heavy fruits pose a significant physical hazard if they fall near children.
Comestibilité
The endosperm of the seed is edible but the fruit is not consumed as a primary food source.

Comment l'identifier

  • Massive fan shaped leaves
  • Largest seeds in plant kingdom
  • Tall unbranched trunk
  • Distinctive double lobed nut
Hauteur
20 à 30m
Envergure
3 à 5m
Feuilles
dark green, evergreen
Fleurs
yellow, brown, 1 à 3cm
Fruits
brown, tan, Year round

Problèmes courants

  • Root rot — Occurs when soil drainage is poor.

La cultiver

Multiplication
seed
Quand planter
spring, summer, fall, winter
Hivernage
It requires constant tropical temperatures and cannot survive any frost or cold exposure.
En pot
It is not suitable for container growth due to its massive size and deep root requirements.

Seed propagation

  1. 1. Obtain a fresh, viable seed.
  2. 2. Place the seed on its side in a deep, well draining potting mix.
  3. 3. Keep the medium consistently moist and warm.
  4. 4. Wait patiently as germination can take many months.

This palm is best grown as a solitary specimen due to its immense size and specific environmental needs.

Espèces similaires

  • Palmier cocotier — It is a related palm that also produces large, floating seeds.

Science

Famille
Arecaceae
Genre
Lodoicea
Ordre
Arecales
Classe
Liliopsida
Région d'origine
Seychelles islands of Praslin and Curieuse.
Préservation
It is listed as endangered and is strictly protected in its native habitat.

It thrives in deep, nutrient rich soils within humid, tropical valley forests.

Intérêt pour la faune
provides nesting sites, habitat for endemic fauna
Pollinisateurs
abeilles, coléoptères
Utilisations
ornamental specimen, botanical curiosity

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND
Floraison
Fructification
Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité
2/9
Réaction du sol
5/9
Lumière
7/9
Température
9/9
Humidité
8/9
Nutriments
6/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Can I grow this in a house?
No, it requires massive space and tropical conditions that are impossible to replicate indoors.
How long does the seed take to germinate?
Germination is extremely slow and can take up to two years.

D'où vient le nom

The name Lodoicea honors King Louis XV of France, while maldivica refers to the Maldives where the nuts were once found washed ashore.

Bon à savoir

  • The seeds can weigh up to 30 kilograms.
  • It is endemic to only two islands in the Seychelles.
  • The tree can take up to 25 years to reach reproductive maturity.
  • The male and female flowers grow on separate trees.
  • It was once thought to grow on the ocean floor.

Aussi dans

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Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.