Surrounded by crystal clear blue waters and pristine beaches, the Seychelles is a tropical paradise and a wildlife enthusiast’s dream. The Seychelles is home to some of the most unique and diverse endemic plants in the world, many of which can’t be seen anywhere else. From towering palm trees and colourful shrubs to fragrant blooms and rare orchids, there is something to admire and explore around every corner. Here’s a closer look at some of the most spectacular endemic plants of Seychelles, and why you should be sure to see them.

 

  1. Seychelles Vanilla (Vanilla perrieri)

 

The Seychelles Vanilla is a shrub that grows up to 2 meters tall. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and Silhouette, and can be found in the understory of moist forest. The plant has fragrant flowers that are white or yellow, and it produces a seed pod that is used to make vanilla extract. It is a threatened species due to habitat destruction and overharvesting.

 

  1. Seychelles Ironwood (Erythrina bernieri)

 

The Seychelles Ironwood is a small to medium-sized tree that grows up to 20 meters tall. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in coastal forests. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are bright red and form clusters at the ends of branches. The tree produces a hard, durable wood that is used in cabinetry and boat-building.

 

  1. Seychelles Mahogany (Khaya seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Mahogany is a large tree that can reach heights of 50 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a rough, greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are white and fragrant, and it produces a hard, durable wood that is used in furniture-making and construction.

 

  1. Seychelles Palm (Ravenea rivularis)

 

The Seychelles Palm is an iconic palm tree that grows up to 15 meters tall. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along coastal areas. The tree has a rough, greyish-brown trunk, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and it produces a cluster of small, edible fruits.

 

  1. Seychelles Damson (Diospyros seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Damson is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 15 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are small and white, and it produces a small, edible plum-like fruit.

 

  1. Seychelles Mulberry (Morus seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Mulberry is a small tree that can reach heights of 5 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are small and white, and it produces a small, edible mulberry fruit.

 

  1. Seychelles Coconut (Cocos nucifera)

 

The Seychelles Coconut is a tall palm tree that can reach heights of 20 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along coastal areas. The tree has a greyish-brown trunk, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and it produces a cluster of large, edible fruits.

 

  1. Seychelles Star Apple (Chrysophyllum seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Star Apple is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are small and white, and it produces a large, star-shaped edible fruit.

 

  1. Seychelles Bitterwood (Tarenna seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Bitterwood is a large tree that can reach heights of 30 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along coastal areas. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are small and white, and it produces a bitter fruit that is used to make medicine.

 

  1. Seychelles Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer)

 

The Seychelles Palmyra Palm is a tall palm tree that can reach heights of 30 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along coastal areas. The tree has a greyish-brown trunk, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and it produces a cluster of edible fruits.

 

  1. Seychelles Custard Apple (Annona seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Custard Apple is a small tree that can reach heights of 5 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are small and white, and it produces a large, edible fruit that has a sweet, custard-like flavor.

  1. Seychelles Breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis)

 

The Seychelles Breadfruit is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 20 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and pinnate. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and it produces a large, starchy fruit that is eaten as a staple food in parts of the Seychelles.

  1. Seychelles Gardenia (Gardenia seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Gardenia is a small shrub that grows up to 4 meters tall. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The shrub has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white and fragrant, and it produces a large, edible fruit.

 

  1. Seychelles Guava (Psidium guajava)

 

The Seychelles Guava is a small to medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 8 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a large, edible fruit that is sweet and juicy.

 

  1. Seychelles Orange (Citrus seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Orange is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a large, juicy orange-colored fruit.

 

  1. Seychelles Clove (Syzygium seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Clove is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 8 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a cluster of aromatic, edible fruits that are used to make a popular spice.

 

  1. Seychelles Curry Tree (Murraya koenigii)

 

The Seychelles Curry Tree is a small to medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 4 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a cluster of aromatic leaves that are used to make a popular spice.

 

  1. Seychelles Ebony (Diospyros seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Ebony is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a hard, durable wood that is used to make furniture and musical instruments.

 

  1. Seychelles Ylang-Ylang (Cananga odorata)

 

The Seychelles Ylang-Ylang is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along coastal areas. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are yellowish-white and fragrant, and it produces an essential oil that is used as a perfume.

 

  1. Seychelles Tambalacoque (Sideroxylon grandiflorum)

 

The Seychelles Tambalacoque is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are white, and it produces a cluster of edible fruits that are used to make jam and jelly.

 

  1. Seychelles Turpentine Tree (Dacryodes seychellarum)

 

The Seychelles Turpentine Tree is a large tree that can reach heights of 30 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are yellowish-white, and it produces a sticky resin that is used as a paint thinner.

 

  1. Seychelles Flame Tree (Delonix regia)

 

The Seychelles Flame Tree is a medium-sized tree that can reach heights of 10 meters. It is endemic to the islands of Mahe and Praslin, and is found in moist forest and along stream banks. The tree has a greyish-brown bark, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. Its flowers are bright red, and it produces a cluster of edible seeds that are used to make a popular snack.

 

  1. Jumby Tree

 

The Jumby Tree is a Seychelles endemic, which is found only on the islands of Praslin and Curieuse. It is a rare species of palm tree that can reach heights of up to 15-20 meters. Its trunk is spiny and its leaves are large, fan-shaped, and have a silvery-green colour. The Jumby Tree is the national tree of Seychelles and is an important part of traditional medicine. Its leaves are used to treat headaches and fever. The Jumby Tree is a sight to behold and its fruit is edible, making it a popular food source for locals.

 

  1. Seychelles Scented Orchid

 

The Seychelles Scented Orchid is a stunning species of orchid endemic to the islands of Seychelles. Its flowers are white and its petals have a unique scent that is said to smell like almonds. The plant is also known for its long, arching leaves which can reach up to three feet in length. The Seychelles Scented Orchid is highly sought-after by orchid enthusiasts and collectors due to its rarity and beauty.

 

  1. Coco de Mer

 

The Coco de Mer is one of the most iconic endemic plants of Seychelles. It is a species of palm tree that is native to the islands of Praslin and Curieuse and is the only species of palm tree that produces a double-lobed nut. The Coco de Mer nut can weigh up to 20kg and its wood is highly sought-after due to its strength and durability. It is a protected species and its nuts are a source of income for the locals.

 

  1. Boivin’s Spurge

 

Boivin’s Spurge is a species of flowering plant that can be found in the wild on the islands of Praslin and Silhouette. It is an evergreen shrub with glossy green foliage and showy yellow-orange flowers. The plant is also known for its unique scent and is known for attracting bees and other insects. Boivin’s Spurge is a protected species and is an important part of the local ecosystem.

 

  1. Gardenia Seychellensis

 

Gardenia Seychellensis is a species of flowering shrub that is endemic to the islands of Praslin, Mahe, and La Digue. It is a small evergreen shrub with glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers. The flowers are used to make a sweet-smelling perfume and the plant is also used as a source of food, medicine, and shelter. Gardenia Seychellensis is an important part of the natural environment and is an important source of food for the local wildlife.

 

  1. Kannel Tree

 

The Kannel Tree is a species of hardwood tree that is endemic to the islands of Seychelles. It is a tall, slender tree with dark grey bark and has yellowish-green leaves. The Kannel Tree is an important part of the local ecosystem and is an important source of food for the local wildlife. Its wood is also highly sought-after for its strength and durability.

 

These are just a few of the endemic plants of Seychelles that you should be sure to see. From towering palm trees to unique orchids and colourful flowering shrubs, the islands of Seychelles are home to some of the most unique and diverse endemic plants in the world. Whether you’re an avid collector or a wildlife enthusiast, the endemic plants of Seychelles are sure to leave you in awe. So be sure to take a closer look at the unique flora of Seychelles and explore the beautiful plants and wildlife that call these islands home.