Plants

The Garden of Eden There are two thousand listed tropical plant species in the Seychelles, around a hundred of which are endemic. © René Mattes

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Two thousand tropical plant species were listed in the Seychelles, one hundred of them are endemic. Among those, the famous coco de mer (photo), producing the world's largest coconut, the coco de mer, the suggestive shape of which owed it the nickname of "coco fesse". And in addition to this, numerous mango species - yellow or white, blossom, apple and patience. Ballnut trees, now protected, grow in coastal forests. Here are some other specific species, as varied as they are beautiful: umbrella trees, guaiacs, European spindles, recognisable with their quadrangular fruits, flamboyants which blossom in November, very hard rosewood, heliotropes, white and pink beach morning glory. Mahogany used to be a favourite type of wood for cabinet making. Banyan, with its aerial roots, grows along roads. And when the bark of corn plants is cut, blood-red sap trickles out. Flowers - bougainvillea, hibiscus, pappus, frangipani trees and a number of orchid species and flower vines blossoming all year long. Mignonette flowers exhale the delicate scent of raspberries. Spice trees - cinnamon, pepper, cloves, cocoa, coffee and vanilla trees produce little amounts of spices, to be discovered on local markets.