Verschaffeltia splendida

Verschaffeltia splendida is endemic to the Seychelles archipelago, specifically on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and Silhouette. inhabits steep, rocky slopes and ridge tops in pristine rainforest environments at elevations between 200-600 meters above sea level.

Verschaffeltia splendida develops one of the most distinctive trunk structures in the palm family. The solitary stem reaches 15-25 meters in height (rarely to 30 meters), with a diameter of 15-25 cm. The most remarkable feature is the conspicuous cone of stilt roots at the base, extending up to 2 meters above ground and spreading 2-3 meters in diameter. The trunk above the stilt roots is smooth, ringed with prominent leaf scars, and colored gray-brown to green.

The crown consists of 8-16 pinnate leaves, each measuring 2.5-3.5 meters in length. The petiole is 60-100 cm long, unarmed or with few scattered spines. The rachis bears 40-50 pairs of regularly arranged leaflets (pinnae), each 50-70 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. Leaflets are dark green above, slightly glaucous below, with a distinctive drooping appearance. The leaf sheath forms a prominent crownshaft 60-100 cm long, green to yellowish-green, smooth and waxy.

It’s prefer a partial shade to full sun. High humidity, Well draining soil consistent watering, don’t let the soil waterlogged. Not hardy to coldness.

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