Verschaffeltia splendida (Seychelles Stilt Palm)

Native only to the Seychelles, this solitary rainforest palm can reach about 100 feet tall. A cone of stilt roots supports its trunk on steep, moist slopes. Young trunks are densely spiny; older ones show rings and leaf scars. The broad leaves can reach about 10 feet long and have deeply notched tips. Their blades are entire when young and split irregularly with wind damage. Drooping, branched flower clusters carry separate male and female flowers on the same plant. The rounded fruits turn red as they ripen and are eaten and dispersed by birds. Its trunk was traditionally used to make building laths. It is listed as Near Threatened. Photographed in Florida.