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Valleé de Mai
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As a result of its extraordinary, isolated history, Seychelles is rich in rare plants which flourish
nowhere else on the planet. 81 species are unique survivors from the luxuriant tropical forests
that covered the islands until man's arrival two centuries ago.
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Home to the famous Coco de Mer palm and it’s striking nut, all 6 of Seychelles'endemic palms
are here, 28 of its endemic plant species, all 4 endemic screwpines, 14 endemic broad-leaved
trees, 5 endemic reptiles and 5 endemic birds.
Outstanding amongst these is the coco-de-mer (sea coconut), native to Praslin, which grows
in the Vallée de Mai. Its seed is the largest in nature, and gave rise to many legends when it
was washed ashore on the coasts of Africa, India and Indonesia. Since the islands were
unknown, the nuts were thought to have grown under the sea - hence the name. Local folklore
has it that, at sundown, the male trees lean over the female trees and no human spectator
ever lives to tell the tale of what follows. The result of this nocturnal activity is the curious double
nut that resembles the female pelvis.
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The suggestive female coco de mer is one of the most extraordinary trees in the world. It can
grow to be 30 feet high, each leaf spanning 35 square feet. The Vallée de Mai, designated
World Heritage Site in 1984, is the only place where it grows (except for a few trees in the
botanical garden and on Curieuse). There are almost 7000 of these monster palm trees here.
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Keen sighted visitors may also spot the endemic Black Parrot, the national bird of
Seychelles and one of the rarest in the world.
Duration of this walk is around 1½ hours.
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