Object Status:
Unlocated
Accession Date:
May 30, 1794
Primary Source Reference:
Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 30 May 1794
Notes:
Lodoicea maldivica, the sole species of the genus, is endemic to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse in the Seychelles. The name Maldive coconut arose before the 18th century when the Seychelles were uninhabited. The coconuts that fell from the trees and ended up in the sea would be carried away eastwards by the prevailing sea currents and drift to the Maldives, where they were gathered from the beaches and valued as an important trade and medicinal item.
Peale's Common Name:
Maldeva cocoa-nut
Current Common Name:
Maldives coconut
Current Scientific Name
Lodoicea maldivica
