New Scientist reports on a frankly bizarre palm tree just discovered by a family picnicking in Madagascar:
“It’s a species that is so significant from all sorts of perspectives, it’s kind of embarrassing as a botanist that we didn’t find it until now,” says William Baker, head of palm research at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in the UK.
…
“This thing just grows and grows, and then flowers itself to death,” says Baker, a study co-author. “It’s an amazing way to go.”
The giant palm was first found by Xavier Metz, a local cashew plantation manager who stumbled upon one of the trees while picnicking with his family, and was struck by the massive candelabra of flowers sprouting from its top.
More words and images at LiveScience.com.