Eden Project’s Coco de Mer Produces First Mature Leaf

Rare Coco de Mer Reaches a Milestone in Cornwall

A rare and endangered palm in the Eden Project’s Rainforest Biome has produced its first mature leaf, believed to be the largest of its kind in the UK.

The plant, known as Lodoicea maldivica or coco de mer, is native to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. It is world-famous for producing the largest and heaviest seed on the planet.

The Eden Project’s specimen grew from a viable seed gifted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment in the Seychelles. It was planted by the Eden team back in 2003.

A Decade in the Making

The palm’s mature leaf has taken around ten years to develop and now stretches to around four metres in length. It is one of the largest leaves in the Biome and is thought to be the first coco de mer leaf to reach maturity in the UK.

Over the next decade, visitors can expect to see it grow even further, with the potential to reach between eight and ten metres.

With a life cycle lasting up to 800 years, the coco de mer can eventually grow to a height of 112 feet. Its large leaves play a vital role in survival, funnelling water and nutrients down to the soil to assist germination and seed growth.

“Thrilled” to Share With Visitors

Peter Jones, the Eden Project’s director of horticulture, said:

“We are thrilled to provide an opportunity for our visitors to see an example of the coco de mer’s majestic leaves in maturity, and in doing so, help tell the story of this incredible plant and the importance of its survival.

“As an educational charity, we are proud to play our part in the conservation of this extraordinary species and look forward to seeing it thrive for many more years to come.”

A Season of Firsts at Eden

This is not the only landmark moment for the Rainforest Biome this year. In June, a baobab tree flowered there, which is also believed to be a UK first.

Visitors to the Biome can explore more than 1,000 different plant species while learning about the global importance of rainforests.

For more information on what to see and do at the Eden Project, visit www.edenproject.com.