A rare 17-year-old palm tree, which will one day grow large enough to be visible from space, has been planted in the UK.
The tree, known as Tahina spectabilis, originates from the Analalava district, a remote region in northwestern Madagascar.
Listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, the palm currently stands at four meters tall but has the potential to reach a towering 18 meters, with leaves spanning up to five meters in diameter.
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It is estimated that the tree could take between 30 and 50 years to reach its full size, at which point it may become visible via satellite imagery.
Fewer than 40 mature specimens are believed to exist in the wild, with only a small number cultivated in countries such as Thailand, Costa Rica, Brazil, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Recently, this rare palm was given a new home at the Eden Project in Cornwall, according to a report by VKNews24.
It now resides in the Tropical Islands section of the Rainforest Biome, where a specially designed bed has been prepared to support its continued growth.
The palm had previously been housed at the Botanic Garden at Cambridge University but was relocated due to its expanding size.
Catherine Cutler, the interim head of horticulture at the Eden Project, expressed her pride in the diverse plant collection within the Biome, which consists of over 1,000 species, each with a unique story.
“As horticulturists, we are thrilled that the Rainforest Biome is the new home for this magnificent palm. We’re honored to contribute to the conservation of such an endangered species and excited for visitors to witness its growth.”
Luigi Leoni, glasshouse team leader at Cambridge University’s Botanic Garden, added: “It’s really exciting for the Tahina palm to reach its full potential at the Eden Project, something that wouldn’t have been possible in our Glasshouses at Cambridge University Botanic Garden.”
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SOURCE: Extremely rare plant that grows so big it can be seen on satellite planted in UK
