Rare Giant Palm tree found in Madagascar

January 22, 2008

Rare Giant Palm tree found in Madagascar
Photo: BBC News

A rare giant Palm has recently been discovered in Madagascar by Botanists… which is kind of strange since they say it can be seen in satellite photos. The tree which they believe is related to an Asian palm some 6,000 km away, survived some 80m years on the island of Madagascar after it’s split with India.

The Palm is believed to live for some 100 years, but apparently it dies after it’s one and only flowering, because it uses up so much of its energy in the growth of its initial asparagus like top, which then develops into a Christmas tree like flowering crown. The Palm Grows to some 20m in height with leaves up to 5m long and it’s a wonder that it has survived.

To date Scientists have identified some 92 individual trees limited to the same remote area and they are at present trying to collect seed for this unique Giant Palm, which the locals know as Tahina spectabilis, which is Malagasy for ‘blessed’ or appropriately ‘to be protected’.

Website: BBC News



Written by Beam · Filed Under Plants 

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