Coco de Mer, the world's largest and most expensive coconut

Coco De Mer or Coco Der Mer is a famous coconut because it is the most expensive in the world. Here are some interesting information about this coconut.

The Coco de Mer, scientifically known as Lodoicea maldivica, is a species of palm tree native to the Seychelles Islands in the Indian Ocean. This eye-catching tree has captivated the human imagination for centuries due to its unique characteristics and legendary appeal.

In this article, we'll delve into the fascinating science facts surrounding the Coco de Mer, exploring its fascinating biology, historical significance, and cultural legends.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the Coco de Mer is its slow growth and longevity. It takes about six to seven years for the seeds to germinate and another 25 to 30 years before the tree begins to produce fruit. The Coco de Mer is known for its exceptional longevity, with some individuals surviving for several hundred years, adding to the mystery surrounding the tree.

Coco de Mer is a member of the Arecaceae family and is the only species in the genus Lodoicea. It is the rarest and most expensive coconut in the world. Each Coco de Mer coconut costs an average of £300 (about $385).

The Coco de mer tree grows very tall, up to 25-34m, with fan-shaped leaves about 7-10m long and about 4.5m wide. This type of coconut only grows on Praslin and Curieuse islands in the Seychelles, so it is very rare. In the world, this type of coconut is very famous for its large size and its rather sensitive shape, exactly like a woman's butt. The Coco de mer fruit holds the record for being the largest and heaviest fruit in the world. On average, a coconut weighs about 23 to 30kg, with a diameter of 30-40cm.

Coco de Mer fruit is considered the 'treasure of Seychelles' and is so rare that tourists coming here are still willing to spend a large sum of money to own it.

Another interesting thing is that the male flowers and coconuts of this tree are both sensitive in shape.

Because it is so heavy, when it falls into the sea, the Coco de mer fruit does not float but sinks to the bottom of the sea. A long time later, when the shell has been decomposed by the sea water, its seeds can float to the surface of the water and drift to different regions. Because at this time, the seeds do not have nutrients to sustain themselves, when they drift to new land, they rot and cannot germinate.

Samuel Daniel

Update 11 January 2025