Roscheria melanochaetes

Latanier palm
Roscheria melanochaetes

This young palm gives gives visitors a chance to get up close – but beware the rings of black spines at each leaf junction with the stem (nodes), which characterise this species from the Seychelles. Some believe these spines evolved as a protection from grazing by giant tortoises.

The plant takes its specific name from these dark (melano) bristly (chaeto) spines; its generic name celebrates 19th century German explorer Alfred Roscher, who traversed this region. It is a slow-growing rainforest species, found on mountainous parts of Mahe and the Sihouette islands, where it is under threat from ongoing clearance.

This post is part of The World of Palms Glasshouse Trail