| Millionaire's Salad | |
|---|---|
| Deckenia nobilis in Vallee de Mai, Seychelles | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Arecales |
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Genus: | Deckenia |
| Species: | D. nobilis |
| Binomial name | |
| Deckenia nobilis H.Wendl. ex Seem.[2] |
|
Deckenia nobilis, or Millionaire's Salad, is a species of flowering plant in the Arecaceae family. 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]
It is a palm tree, growing to a height of 40 meters. In the wild, it is found intermittently in lowland forests, at elevations up to 600 meters. 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]
The name 'Millionaire's Salad' is given because, once the palm hearts are harvested, the entire tree will die.