Biology
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The spiny spathes that enclose the inflorescences are a distinguishing character of this plant. They develop at the base of the leaves which encircle the trunk, and when the leaf falls from the tree, this frees the spathe so it moves away from the trunk and sits at right angles to the tree. The spathe then splits, drops off, and the drooping inflorescences unfurl (4) (5). The fallen spathes on the ground under the palm are said to resemble hedgehogs (4).
Conservation
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Millionaire's salad is legally protected in the Seychelles, and also receives some natural protection from exploitation due to many stands being situated on rocky, inaccessible cliffs. Seedlings of this plant are also raised in nurseries, and then distributed to the public for planting (1). Such measures will hopefully give this Endangered plant some chance at survival.
Description
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When young, the trunk of this tall palm is armed with numerous yellow spines. These are lost when the tree reaches maturity, but scars remain where these spines were once borne (4). The enormous leaves measure up to five metres long and are composed of numerous pale green, smooth leaflets branching off a central stem (2) (3). Just below the crown of leaves, paddle-shaped, spiny, greenish-yellow spathes develop (5), which are held at right angles to the trunk (2). These split and drop off to reveal long, drooping, yellow branches of flowers (2) (5). The fruits of millionaire's salad are small, around one centimetre long, egg-shaped and purple (2).
Habitat
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Millionaire's salad grows in lowland forest, up to 600 metres above sea level (1). It is able to grow in exposed areas, such as on cliff faces, provided there is sufficiently deep soil (4).
Range
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Found only in the Seychelles, where it occurs on the islands of Mahé, Silhouette, Praslin, La Digue, Curieuse and Felicité (2).
Status
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Classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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Millionaire's salad populations are believed to be declining (1), although the reasons behind this are not entirely clear. The growing part of the palm, at the very tip, was once often removed to be used in cooking, to make 'millionaire's salad' (4). Exploitation of this part of the tree, called the palm heart (1), kills the plant (4). However, today, it is thought that it is the common coconut plant that is exploited more often for this use (4).
Deckenia nobilis
provided by wikipedia EN
Deckenia nobilis (cabbage palm or millionaire's salad) is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is monotypic within the genus Deckenia, and is endemic to the Seychelles, where it is threatened by habitat loss.[1] It was described in 1870.[3]
Description
The characteristic spiny fruit
The yellow spines that grow on the trunks of young
Deckenia nobilis specimens
Leaf detail of
Deckenia nobilis, growing on Praslin
This species of palm tree has a distinctive spiny fruit, and produces yellow spines on the trunks of young specimens. Adults reach a height of 40 meters.
Distribution and habitat
Deckenia nobilis is endemic to the Seychelles. In the wild, it is found intermittently in lowland forests, at elevations up to 600 metres.
It is in decline due to unregulated or illegal over-harvesting of the edible palm hearts, but certain stands growing on rocky crags and outcrops are very difficult for humans to reach, which tentatively affords them natural protection. Also, some new growth is attributable to tree nurseries on the Seychelles, which raise D. nobilis seedlings and distribute them to the local populace for planting.[1]
References
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Deckenia nobilis: Brief Summary
provided by wikipedia EN
Deckenia nobilis (cabbage palm or millionaire's salad) is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is monotypic within the genus Deckenia, and is endemic to the Seychelles, where it is threatened by habitat loss. It was described in 1870.
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- cc-by-sa-3.0
- copyright
- Wikipedia authors and editors
