Verschaffeltia

Verschaffeltia splendida ("Latanier Latte" or stilt palm^[2]) is a species of flowering plant in the family Arecaceae. It is the only species in the genus Verschaffeltia.^{[citation needed]}

Verschaffeltia
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Arecales
Family:	Arecaceae
Subfamily:	Arecoideae
Tribe:	Areceae
Subtribe:	Verschaffeltiinae
Genus:	Verschaffeltia H.Wendl.
Species:	V. splendida
Binomial name
Verschaffeltia splendida H.A. Wendl.

It is found only in Seychelles where it is threatened by habitat loss. The name comes from the Belgian Ambroise Verschaffelt.

Description

This species can be distinguished from all other palm species of the Seychelles, by its characteristic stilt-roots.

The slender trunk has a very hard outer covering. The leaves are initially unbroken, and those of the young plants have black spines on their stalks. They bear green-brown fruits with unique seeds.

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  The stilt-roots of this species
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  The black spines that cover the stem and leaves of young plants
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  The unbroken young leaves