Lodoicea, also known as the sea coconut, coco de mer, or double coconut, is a type of palm tree with only one species, Lodoicea maldivica, found only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. It used to grow on other small islets near Praslin, but became extinct there before being recently reintroduced.
The tree grows up to 25-34 meters tall and produces stiff, fan-shaped leaves that can reach 10 meters in diameter. Lodoicea is dioecious, with male and female flowers on separate plants. The male flowers grow in catkin-like inflorescences that produce pollen for up to ten years, while the female flowers produce a fruit that is 40-50 centimeters in diameter and weighs 15-30 kilograms,
making it the world's largest and heaviest seed.
The fruit takes 6-7 years to mature and another two years to germinate. The tree's leaves form a funnel that collects pollen and other particulate material, which is flushed down to the base of the trunk when it rains, improving the nutrient supply for the tree and its offspring.
The fruit is bilobed, flattened, and contains one to four seeds, and its dense nature means it cannot float in water. It was once believed to be a sea-bean or drift seed, but this is now known to be incorrect.