Martellidendron hornei

Martellidendron hornei is a species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, one of several species in this family that are endemic to the Seychelles.

Description

This species is an erect tree to tall. It has a single straight trunk, with a spreading, parasol-like canopy only near the top. Its branches usually divide into groups of three. This is not trichotomous, but probably the result of having three ranks of leaves. The multiple fruit is up to in diameter with large pyrenes, each up to long and containing one seed. They are mostly yellow with a green outer tip.
It has stilt roots that are characteristically large but very closely packed.

Distribution and habitat

Martellidendron hornei is endemic to the Seychelles, and was formerly common on all of the granitic islands. In valleys and on wetter slopes it was a dominant part of the original forests. It is currently threatened by habitat loss and invasive alien species such as Falcataria falcata.