[frostfire]

Botanists have discovered a new species of palmtree in northwest Madagascar. It produces fruits once every 100 years, but uses so much energy in doing so that the tree collapses and dies. During the process it can be confussed with other palms.
The tree, that has been named Tahina spectabilis, grows up to 20 metres tall and the leafs are about 5 metres long and with these measurements is the largest tree in Madagascar.
There are only about 100 trees in existence and it is thought that the species has evolved from another after Madagascar was seperated from India 80 milion years ago, as there is a similar species in Asia.

-Nature never ceases to suprise!

Frostfire

[goosey]

You would have thought the botonists at Kew would have discovered something so large before now - especially with the icredible work they have been doing in preserving and recording species over the centuries. It's great the natural world is still throwing up suprises like this.
Madagascar must be such a special place and unique place with its flora and fauna (there are several posts and lots of Blacks images from there here about Madagascar). Just to think that it is home to more than 10,000 plant species, 90% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

[paul m]

The 'suicide' isn't that uncommon - many plants die after seeding: annuals (by definition) and, most spectacularly, some Agave species. They've invested all their resources in their seeds so don't need to survive.

This species sounds fascinating and good to hear that there are still parts of the world so undisturbed by humans.

Originally Posted by frostfire

Botanists have discovered a new species of palmtree in northwest Madagascar. It produces fruits once every 100 years, but uses so much energy in doing so that the tree collapses and dies. During the process it can be confussed with other palms.
The tree, that has been named Tahina spectabilis, grows up to 20 metres tall and the leafs are about 5 metres long and with these measurements is the largest tree in Madagascar.
There are only about 100 trees in existence and it is thought that the species has evolved from another after Madagascar was seperated from India 80 milion years ago, as there is a similar species in Asia.

-Nature never ceases to suprise!

Frostfire