Ever wonder which plant has the largest seed? No? Well, now you'll know anyway. The largest seed comes from a tall palm tree called Lodoicea maldivicia, which grows only in the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. The seed can be 20 inches long!

The seed grows in a fruit that looks like two coconuts joined together. A humorous aside, European sailors that came across the seeds floating in the ocean used to think they looked much like a woman's buttocks. (Things must have been pretty scary on those boats.)

Anyway, for those of you interested in growing one of these, please keep in mind that the seeds take several years to germinate.

In Japan I met a well known beachcomber who pointed me toward a small town up the coast and there was one on display there. A good 12 or 13 inches across at least. Apparently, they used to upset the missionaries because of their strong resemblance to a frontal view of a woman. I think, altho my memory could be wrong, they are called coco-de-mer. Or were called that by the sailors who found them adrift.

A picture or two of the nut are here. http://www.santesson.com/aphrodis/fruitnut.htm

Pictures of the tree are here. http://www.plantapalm.com/vpe/photos/Species/lodoicea_maldivica.htm

Thanks spak. I just check out the links and that is one strange looking nut.

[This message has been edited by JoJo2 (edited 05-29-2000).]

I believe that the smallest seed that creates the largest plant is the Mustard..is it not?

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

I don't know about that one Sandalwood.